How to Add Clickable Reels to Your Instagram Content (And Use the Viral “Tap Any Reel” Trend)
Instagram’s newest interactive feature lets you overlay tappable reels directly onto your content. Here’s exactly how to use it to grow your account.
If you’ve been scrolling Instagram lately, you may have noticed a new kind of reel — one where you can tap on embedded videos and instantly watch them. Instagram’s newest interactive feature is quickly becoming one of the most popular content formats on the platform.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly what the “Tap Any Reel” trend is, how to create it using the Edits app, and the best strategies for using it to drive real engagement and grow your audience.
What is the “Tap Any Reel” feature on Instagram?
The “Tap Any Reel” feature is an interactive overlay tool available through Instagram’s Edits app. It lets small businesses layer other reels directly onto their content as clickable links — so when a viewer taps on one of the overlaid reels, they’re instantly taken to watch it.
Think of it like a choose-your-own-adventure experience built right into your reel. Instead of just watching one video, your audience can explore a curated collection of your content without ever leaving your account.
The links feature in Edits is especially powerful for connecting related content: link back to the first video in a series, show behind-the-scenes context for a product, or react to someone else’s reel directly on screen (no green screen required).
Why this feature is a game-changer for Instagram creators and small business owners
Most content formats on Instagram are passive — someone watches, maybe likes, and scrolls on. Clickable reels flip that dynamic entirely. Here’s how smart creators are jumping on this trend:
🔗 Series content
Link to the previous video in a series so new viewers can catch up instantly.
🛍️ Product context
Talking about your product? Link to a behind-the-scenes reel of how it was made.
💬 Live reactions
React to someone else’s reel with it overlaid on screen (no green screen needed).
📌 Content hubs
Create a “best of” reel you can pin to your profile so new followers find value fast.
Free video tutorial: how to create clickable reels in Edits
Watch the step-by-step walkthrough (free, no sign-up needed).
How to use clickable reels to grow your account
Here’s the strategy that’s working right now: use a simple b-roll clip as your background video, then overlay multiple related reels that are linked and tappable. Your on-screen text explains the value and your viewers do the tapping.
- Choose a category of related reels from your account (tips, inspiration, best-selling products, your brand vibe, etc.).
- Film or select a simple b-roll clip to use as your background.
- Open the Edits app and overlay your chosen reels as clickable links on screen.
- Add on-screen text using one of the hook formulas below.
- Post
- (Optional!) Pin the reel to your profile or reels tab for ongoing discoverability.
On-screen text templates to copy
These hook formulas are designed to drive taps by speaking directly to your community’s goals. Swap in the bracketed text for your niche and details:
- [NUMBER] reels to help you [GOAL YOUR COMMUNITY HAS]
tap them to watch! - Tap on any reel to [GOAL YOUR COMMUNITY HAS]
- [NUMBER] reels to watch to get the vibe of my [YOUR BUSINESS]
- BTW you can click on any reel to [GOAL YOUR COMMUNITY HAS]
- If you’re a [DESCRIBE YOUR COMMUNITY] who wants to [GOAL THEY HAVE] — tap on these reels
Real-life examples by niche
Fitness: BTW you can click on any reel to grab a new workout to try this week
Plant Care: Tap on any reel to save your plants from impending death
Products: BTW you can click on any reel to see the spring decor moms are loving most right now
Apparel: Tap on any reel to get inspired on what to wear this week
Also worth knowing: Instagram is currently testing the ability to add clickable web links at the end of captions — but this is currently only available to Meta Verified users on higher-tier paid plans. Keep an eye on this one as it rolls out more broadly.
📌 Pro tip: pin this reel to your profile
A clickable reels hub is one of the most useful pieces of content you can create for new followers. Pin it to your profile or reels tab so it’s always the first thing people find. Create this reel once and then let it do the work of introducing your best content automatically.
The bottom line
The “Tap Any Reel” feature is one of Instagram’s most exciting updates for creators and small businesses in a long time. It turns passive viewers into active explorers, keeps people inside your content ecosystem, and makes your back catalog of reels work harder than ever.
The best time to start experimenting with it is now, while the format is still fresh. The algorithm tends to reward early adopters with extra reach. Use the free tutorial above, pick your niche’s hook template, and build your first interactive reel today.
Let’s be email friends! Make your social media more fun and effective with tips and strategies delivered to your inbox.
