Meta is set to significantly alter how videos are shared on Facebook, consolidating all video uploads into the Reels format, a change that will be rolled out globally in the coming months.
This change aims to streamline the video creation, sharing, and discovery process on the platform by consolidating the current two distinct video-sharing methods – traditional video posts and Reels – into one. Currently, users can share videos either as traditional video posts or as Reels, each with distinct workflows. Under the new system, all videos on Facebook will be shared exclusively as Reels. Meta emphasizes that despite this shift, “Facebook remains a home for all types of video – short, long, and Live.”
A key part of this update is the removal of the current 90-second length restriction for Reels on Facebook, allowing for longer-form content within the short-form video format. This move aligns with recent changes on Instagram, where Reels can now be up to three minutes long as of January. Furthermore, the “Video” tab on Facebook will be rebranded as the “Reels” tab.
Meta assures users that these updates will not alter video recommendations, which will continue to be personalized based on individual interests. This strategic pivot follows CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s expressed desire to make Facebook “way more culturally influential than it is today.” Last year, Meta also introduced a new full-screen mobile video player for Facebook, signaling a broader focus on video content across its platforms.
