The Short Answer
Reels generally achieve significantly greater reach than static feed posts – but that alone says nothing about their value for your business. It depends on what you want to achieve.
Reels: Strengths and Weaknesses
Reels are strongly preferred by the Instagram algorithm and are played on the Explore page. This leads to more impressions and new followers. However, the effort involved is higher: you need good lighting, clear sound, and interesting moving images. For industries without visually exciting processes, implementation is more difficult.
Feed Posts: Strengths and Weaknesses
Static posts reach fewer new people but perform better with your own community. They remain permanently visible in the feed and are ideal for product presentations, offers, and infographics. The effort is lower and the result more predictable.
The Ideal Combination
The best results are achieved by accounts that combine both formats. One to two Reels per week ensure reach growth and new followers. Two to three static posts or carousels nurture the existing community and convert followers into customers.
What Makes More Sense for SMEs
If you have little time, focus on high-quality feed posts. With a tool like publy.ch, you can create professional graphics in minutes. If you have resources for video production, supplement with Reels for more reach.
Conclusion
Reels are not a must for everyone. Choose the format that you can consistently use with your resources in the long term. Quality and continuity always beat short-term reach peaks.