Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 125: The Weekly Scroll: Instagram’s Competitive Insights, Reels Watch History & Edits App Updates

Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Katelyn Rhoades

Episode Overview

In this “Weekly Scroll” edition, host Katelyn Rhoades delivers a rapid, information-packed roundup of the latest Instagram and TikTok feature updates every creator needs to know. The episode focuses on:

• Instagram’s new Competitive Insights tool
• How Reels Watch History changes creator workflows
• TikTok’s push into AI-powered creative tools
• Instagram Edits app enhancements
  Throughout, Katelyn shares candid takes about what matters (and what doesn’t) for building visibility and revenue on social media, speaking directly to ambitious creators and entrepreneurs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Instagram Introduces Competitive Insights Tool

[00:26 – 02:40]

• What’s New: Instagram’s Professional Dashboard now lets users benchmark their account performance side-by-side with up to 10 other creators.
  • Metrics include: follower growth, posting frequency, reel/feed post performance—even if other accounts hide likes.
  • Great for agencies and creators tracking client or competitor trends.
• Katelyn’s Take:
  • Cautions against falling into the comparison trap:

    “Comparison is the thief of joy here...You do not need to compare yourself to others to understand if you’re doing well or not on Instagram.” (01:36)

  • Follower counts alone are ‘vanity metrics’—what really matters is meaningful engagement (views, shares, comments, clicks, conversions).
  • For creators, use this tool as “context, not gospel.”

Notable Quotes:

• Katelyn Rhoades [01:36]:

  “Follower counts are basically just those vanity metrics if they’re not tied to real action.”

• Katelyn Rhoades [02:10]:

  “Use it as context, not as your gospel. If you want to stay ahead, focus less on who’s posting more and more on what’s actually moving the needle for your business.”

2. Reels Watch History: A Game-Changer for Trends Research

[02:40 – 04:37]

• New Feature: Instagram adds a Watch History for Reels, modeled after TikTok’s version.
  • Go to Settings → Activity → Watch History to see every Reel viewed in the past 30 days.
  • Filter by date or creator for quick access to saved audios, inspiration, or trend research.
• Why It Matters:
  • No more “scroll regret”—creators and marketers can revisit top-performing or inspiring Reels easily.
  • Enables analyzing patterns in content that catches your eye (and likely your audience’s).
  • Streamlines curating ideas and spotting trends, saving time and improving content strategy.

Notable Quotes:

• Katelyn Rhoades [04:01]:

  “Your inspiration archive just got way easier to access.”

• Katelyn Rhoades [04:32]:

  “The next time you’re doing a trend research session, go through your watch history instead of starting from scratch.”

3. TikTok Rolls Out Generative AI Creation Tools

[04:38 – 07:56]

• What’s New: TikTok launches in-app generative AI composer tools:
  • Turn images into videos, create videos from text prompts, use AI for scene transitions—no extra software needed.
• Implications:
  • Makes high-quality, polished short-form content easier/faster to produce.
  • Potential downside: platforms risk being swamped by generic, AI-generated content.
• Katelyn’s Advice:
  • “What’s going to stand out more than anything else is you, your human perspective.” (06:25)
  • Use AI tools to enhance, not replace, your creativity. Authenticity and personal voice will be the differentiators in an AI-flooded landscape.
• Cultural Context:
  • Referencing business podcast host Lori Harder, Katelyn notes it’s “harder than ever” to rack up viral views due to content oversaturation—now is the time to double-down on originality.

Notable Quotes:

• Katelyn Rhoades [06:25]:

  “If you have that human touch, you’re going to connect with people more. So use these tools to enhance your creativity, but don’t replace it.”

• Katelyn Rhoades [07:20]:

  "The creators who win are not going to be the ones who generate the most. They’re going to be the ones who create with purpose, personality, and perspective.”

4. Instagram Edits App Gets Major Upgrades

[10:02 – 11:01]

• What’s New: Instagram’s Edits app now supports:
  • Animated, customizable on-screen captions
  • Advanced color correction (hue, saturation, white balance)
  • 28 new special effects (super zoom, low res, tunnel vision, and more)
  • Built-in royalty-free music, AI restyling, beat markers, and teleprompter tools
• Strategic Impact:
  • Positions Edits app as a serious competitor to premium editors like CapCut (and may help creators avoid additional edit app costs).
  • Meta reportedly favors Reels posted via Edits app, boosting potential reach.
• Actionable Tip:
  • “Go use the Edits app... when you use the Edits app and post to Instagram you will get more traction because they are favoring reels from the Edits app.” (11:02)

Notable Quotes:

• Katelyn Rhoades [11:02]:

  “They are favoring reels from the Edits app. And that’s a wrap on this week’s Scroll.”

Memorable Moments & Advice

• On The Dangers of Competitive Analysis:
  "I would hate for you all to focus on this too much because it’s going to steal your joy. What really matters at the end of the day is your own content." (01:13)
• On AI Content:
  “Try the AI transition feature in your next video. Layer it though, with your voice, your story, or your insights...if you mix up that tech with your authenticity, that’s how you’re going to cut through the noise.” (07:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:26] – Welcome and overview
• [00:55] – Instagram Competitive Insights Launch
• [02:40] – Instagram Reels Watch History explained
• [04:38] – TikTok’s Generative AI composer tools
• [07:56] – Brief sponsor message (skip)
• [10:02] – Instagram Edits app updates
• [11:02] – Strategy tip: Using Edits app increases reach

Episode Tone & Language

Katelyn’s delivery remains friendly, supportive, and built on real world experience (“no hype, just action”). She blends enthusiasm for new tools with thoughtful warnings about comparison, burnout, and over-relying on automation at the expense of authentic, human content. There’s a motivating, “let’s do this together” vibe throughout.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Use new analytics and editing features to improve your content, but don’t get lost in comparison or automation.
• Focus on engagement and purposeful creation—not just vanity metrics or churning out AI content.
• Leverage tech tools as shortcuts, but always infuse your unique perspective and voice.
• Weekly updates like this are invaluable to save research time and stay ahead of the curve in a fast-evolving creator landscape.

Want more?
Katelyn wraps with an invitation to join Club Influence—for up-to-date trending content ideas, templates, strategies, and a supportive creative community.