Facebook Reels Update: All Videos Rebranded
Facebook Reels update marks a major shift as all uploaded videos will now be classified and treated as Reels. This move marks a clear step in Facebook’s strategy to compete more directly with short-form video giants.
Reels Take Centre Stage
Over the coming months, all standard video uploads will automatically be published as Reels. Users won’t need to manually select “Reel” during the posting process – upload any video, and it will join the Reels stream. This change brings an end to the divide between traditional video posts and Reels.
Importantly, live broadcasts remain separate. While livestreams might appear within the Reels feed, they’ll still be governed by their own format and upload process.
Unified Tools, Simpler Experience: Facebook Reels Update
Facebook is also merging its creative tools for video, aiming to simplify the publishing experience. Until now, uploading a Reel involved a different process than posting a regular video. Going forward, users will have access to a single, streamlined interface with enhanced editing features.
Audience settings are being standardised too. The platform will now apply the same default visibility to both Feed posts and Reels, making it easier to manage who sees what. If your current Reels and Feed preferences differ, Facebook will prompt you to confirm or update your settings before posting.
Analytics and Monetisation Updates
This transition also affects how creators track performance. Facebook will consolidate all video insights – such as 3-second and 1-minute views – under Reels analytics. Historical data will remain accessible through Meta Business Suite until the end of the year, but future metrics will appear exclusively as part of the Reels dataset.
On the monetisation front, nothing major changes for now. Creators who’ve been earning through video content will continue to receive payouts, assuming content output and engagement stay stable.
A New Tab, A New Era: Facebook Reels Update
To reflect this pivot, Facebook is renaming the “Video” tab to “Reels.” This reflects the growing dominance of short-form video across the platform. Reels began as bite-sized clips, capped at 60 seconds, later expanded to 90, and now effectively cover all non-live video content.
This change underscores how much time users now spend watching Reels. In fact, internal data revealed during a recent antitrust case showed a marked increase in user engagement with Reels over time – highlighting its central role in keeping users active on the platform.
Aligning With the Competition
It’s no coincidence that this announcement comes at a time when rivals like TikTok are also expanding. TikTok now allows videos of up to 60 minutes, indicating a broader trend where platforms are diversifying what “short-form” means. In this context, Facebook’s move to remove time limits from Reels positions it to remain competitive and flexible.
A Smooth Transition?
The Facebook Reels update introduces consistency and exciting new features for creators across the platform. However, some users may need time to adjust to the changes. The disappearance of a traditional video upload option in favour of the Reels label might cause a bit of initial confusion.
However, Facebook appears to be making efforts to ease this transition, providing guidance through the process and updating terminology and tools to align with user expectations.
In summary, Facebook is doubling down on Reels, placing it at the heart of its video-sharing strategy. By simplifying tools, unifying settings, and shifting the entire video experience into one format, the platform is clearly betting on short-form content to fuel future growth and engagement. Whether users embrace this shift immediately or gradually adapt, one thing is clear: the age of the all-encompassing Reel is here.
