Meta has launched Facebook Reels globally across 150 countries. The short-form video feature was first made available on Instagram in 2020 and on Facebook to US users in 2021.
Facebook Reels will be available to both Android and iOS users. In the coming weeks, updates will be rolled out to users to make it easier for them to find short-form videos on different areas of the platform. Reels is coming to all areas of the Facebook app — including Feeds, Stories, Groups, and the Watch tab. Viewers will be able to like, comment, and share the content on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
In the announcements, Meta also said that it is exploring new ways for Reels creators to earn money from their videos through “non-interruptive” banner ads and sticker ads. The Reels Play bonus program, part of its USD 1 billion commitment for creators in 2022, already allows eligible creators to monetize their content.
Zuckerberg said that Reels is their fastest growing content format, making its launch a priority. Meta lost a huge chunk of its market value in recent weeks. Growing competition from TikTok, a declining user base, and a dismal earnings report caused by Apple and Google’s privacy changes on its own platforms all attributed to the loss.
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The company hopes to lure more users to Facebook Reels. New features are also rolling out to make it more competitive — such as a video clipping tool, a 60-second limit, remixes that allow users to create a new reel alongside an existing one, and the ability to save as draft.
