Meta Transitions Video Sharing on Facebook to Reels

Meta is implementing significant changes to the way videos are shared on Facebook. Currently, users have the option to share videos either as a standard video from the post composer or as a reel, each with distinct sharing workflows. However, in the coming months, Meta has announced that all videos on Facebook will be shared exclusively as reels, according to a blog post.

According to Meta, “Facebook remains a home for all types of video – short, long, and Live.” The company plans to gradually roll out these changes globally to both profiles and Pages over the upcoming months. This initiative aims to facilitate the creation, sharing, and discovery of reels on the platform.

In addition to the transition to reels, Meta will also eliminate the current length restrictions for reels on Facebook, which are presently capped at 90 seconds, per a support page. This change is expected to enhance user engagement by allowing for longer content.

Furthermore, Meta will rename the existing Video tab to the Reels tab. The company emphasizes that it continues to value a diverse range of topics and video lengths on Facebook. They assure users that this update will not alter the personalized video recommendations they receive, which are tailored based on individual interests.

The modifications to Facebook’s video-sharing capabilities come in the wake of Mark Zuckerberg’s recent statements regarding the platform’s future. He expressed a desire to make Facebook “way more culturally influential than it is today” and to return to “some OG Facebook.” As part of this vision, the company has introduced a new full-screen mobile video player for Facebook last year.

Meta has also been actively promoting reels across its platforms a big way on Instagram, and as of January, reels on that platform can be up to three minutes long. These strategic changes reflect Meta’s commitment to enhancing user experience and engagement through innovative video-sharing features.