You’ve probably seen those fun bouncing videos kicking around on Instagram in the last few years. The ones where a person spinning is repeated a dozen times in a 3-second timeframe. Those are from the Boomerang app!
The Boomerang app was introduced in 2015 by Instagram. Inspired by a boomerang toy, which goes forward and backward, so do the Boomerang app images! Boomerangs are a bit like GIFs, but with a lot more excitement. Plus, with the app, they’re much easier to create. It only takes a few seconds.
With the Boomerang app, Instagram also developed Hyperlapse and Layout. Hyperlapse lets you create timelapse videos. All you have to do is film a video as normal within the Hyperlapse app and it creates a quicker version. You can also choose the speed so that’s it’s not too fast or slow for your liking.
Layout is a collage creating app. You can merge two or more pictures into one. This is an awesome tool for businesses if they’re releasing a new product or doing a promotion.
With all these new apps, Instagram is more exciting than ever! The Boomerang, especially, has become so popular. It’s ideal for Instagram stories, too. We’ll go into the Boomerang app a bit more and explore all its avenues.
They’re fun, bouncy, exciting and super easy to use!
The Boomerang App
The Boomerang app was created by Instagram and is a loop recording video app.
You’re maybe familiar with the logo which resembles an infinity symbol because the video goes back and forward a few times.
In 2015, the app was announced with the tagline: “Boomerang lets you turn everyday moments into something fun and unexpected”.
This is definitely true! Your basic photo of dessert doesn’t need to be so basic anymore. You can use the Boomerang feature to create a bouncing, back and forward, video.
Plus, it’s easy. The app creates the Boomerang for you. You don’t need to stitch photos together yourself. It automatically creates a looping effect.
The constant motion effect of a Boomerang adds a new level to your everyday photos.
A good tip is to use a Boomerang when taking a photo of a landscape image. Keep the frame still but let life move around within the video. You’ll end up with a really cool photo where it seems like a photo, but maybe the trees are blowing ever so slightly in the wind. Boomerangs can really add to your creativity on Instagram.
This is a great example of a Boomerang. With the water going up and down, it’s unexpected and creative! Try something like this on your Instagram, or next time you go outdoors. Remember, it only takes a few seconds.
Of course, with the Boomerang app, you can shoot in portrait or landscape. You can use Boomerangs for any types of videos! It’s super versatile.
It’s good for jumping, dancing, selfies, pets, movies. It makes a normal photo ten times more exciting.
You can even use the Boomerang app to get out of your comfort zone a bit. Instead of utilizing it to make something normal more exciting, try using it to create something totally new like this video by @alinavalitova. She has over 55,000 followers on Instagram and most of her content is Boomerangs! So Boomerangs can be a nice addition to your stories, or you can use them to create a brand on Instagram.
Where To Find The Boomerang App
You can easily download the Boomerang app from the App Store or Google Play. However, it’s engrained into Instagram stories so you can access it there, too.
If you go to your Instagram story, the Boomerang option will be at the bottom. Click it, take a Boomerang and upload it to your story. Of course, you can just save it to your camera roll if you aren’t ready to share it yet.
The Boomerang app is free and there are no hidden costs when using the app! If you using the app, you will be able to view all of your previous Boomerangs by clicking the square at the bottom left of the main screen.
How To Use The Boomerang App
First, open the Boomerang app.
Next, you’ll see a simple interface with your camera screen and four buttons:
- The shoot button which allows you to record your Boomerang.
- Your flash button in the top right-hand corner for shooting in low light settings.
- Your flip screen option which allows you to change between selfie mode and regular mode.
- The Boomerang album where you will find all your previously saved Boomerangs taken within the app.
To take a Boomerang, simply point and shoot. The screen will flash for about one second as it takes a bunch of images. As soon as the Boomerang is recorded, you’ll be taken to a screen where you can view your Boomerang.
It’s ready to share! You can save it to the app, or share to Instagram, Facebook and many more places like a message, email, your phone’s notes, and other social media. If you don’t like the Boomerang, click the “X” in the left corner. The Boomerang will be deleted.
Note: when you save the Boomerang, it saves both to the app and your camera roll!
To use Boomerang in your Instagram stories, it’s the same idea. Point and shoot and the video will be ready in about one second. You can then share straight from your Instagram stories with your audience!
Use Boomerangs To Liven Your Instagram Feed
If you want something different on your Instagram feed, you can share Boomerangs onto your feed instead of stories. You can do this from your saved Boomerang on your camera roll or even straight from the Boomerang app.
Using Boomerangs on your feed instead of a photo is a great idea. Your followers won’t be expecting it and therefore will spend more time viewing your content. This, of course, leads to better engagement because the algorithm will notice people spending longer at your content.
Taking a Boomerang where someone else would take a photo is a good place to start. It can liven up your Instagram feed quite a lot!
A Boomerang saved from the app is only four seconds long. However, because it loops so flawlessly, when you post it on your feed, it goes on for as long as you want because Instagram videos continue again after pressing play. This explains the infinity symbol for the logo!
This Boomerang of the statue has a creepy haunting feel to it that wouldn’t be as prominent if it were just a photo. Plus, with the endless looping, it creates a great vibe!
Boomerangs are great for your feed because they are short and sweet. While it keeps people on your page for a bit longer, it doesn’t take them away from scrolling through the rest of the photos they’d like to see. People will probably spend about 5-10 seconds watching a Boomerang where they might only spend 1-2 looking at a photo.
The Boomerang app helps to make simple moments more alive. In fact, using this app adds new energy to simple moments, making them extra exciting. It’s free to download so definitely download it to create new, exciting content for Instagram!