Facebook Will Have a Vertical Video Player

Facebook is launching an updated video player with a consistent design and improved user experience for content of all formats, from short Reels to long videos and live broadcasts. The innovation, which will first be available in the US and Canada, is aimed at simplifying the processes of viewing and distributing video materials. The most important innovations are the vertical video format and recommendations for the most relevant content to watch, regardless of its type and duration. Improved recommendations will be available not only in the player itself, but also in the news feed and in the “Video” tab on Facebook. The platform is also promising to feature more short-form Reels videos, given the increased demand for the format.

The update could have a significant impact on metrics that are important to content creators and advertisers, such as watch time, views, and reach. For Facebook, it provides an opportunity to increase the time users spend on the platform, as well as grow ad views and clicks. Algorithmic recommendations and an expansion of possible video formats will allow the social network to better compete with popular video platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.

In addition to verticalization, the updated video player will receive new control functions: full-screen mode for horizontal videos and a slider for rewinding long videos. Users will be able to pause videos and skip forward and backward in 10-second increments.

An improved video viewing experience could help Facebook reach younger audiences. Despite Facebook's decline in popularity among Gen Z over the past decade, recent analytics indicate renewed interest among young people in the platform. In addition, the launch of the new video player comes amid discussions about a possible ban on TikTok in the United States, which could lead to increased consumption of video content on other social platforms. Facebook, in this case, can be considered as one of the most worthy alternatives.