There’s a new updated fullscreen video player on Facebook with a consistent design for all video lengths – whether they be Reels, longer videos, or Live videos, and it’ll default to vertically orientated videos which brings them into line with TikTok.
Outside the new player, you’ll also now see more relevant video recommendations, regardless of length, on Feed and on the Video Tab. And while Facebook continues to be the home for all types of video, we’ll show even more Reels to meet the growing demand for this format.
These updates also mean that more types of creators will have more opportunities to tap into additional audiences they might not have reached before.
– Meta
The updated video player is rolling out on iOS and Android first in the US and Canada, and globally in the coming months. Once you have the update, when you tap on a video anywhere on the Facebook app, you’ll now consistently see a fullscreen, vertically oriented video. Previously, depending on the length of the video or where you were watching, you may have seen horizontal videos or videos that played in a Feed-like player. While videos will appear vertical automatically, you’ll see a new fullscreen option on most horizontal videos that allows you to flip to watch in landscape view.
Within the upgraded fullscreen video player, there will alsobe improved recommendations for videos of all lengths Facebook think you’re most likely to enjoy based on your interests. For example, they may recommend a Reel giving you inspiration for a quick, daily makeup routine or a longer tutorial video on DIY house improvements from experienced homeowners.
What this means for creators is that they can now produce in the same format for both TikTok and Facebook, regardless whether it’s Reels, longer videos or Live content. And note that Reels will be pushed even more as that’s where Facebook say they are seeing demand, so it’s a format advertisers don’t want to be missing out on.
