Facebook Video Player Gets a Major Update for an Enhanced Viewing Experience

Highlights

• Unified full-screen, vertical video player across all video types.
• Initial launch in the US and Canada, with a global rollout planned.
• Introduction of improved video recommendations based on user interests.
• New viewing controls including landscape mode and quick navigation.

Meta is rolling out a major overhaul to the video player on Facebook, aimed at providing a more cohesive and immersive experience for users across different video formats.

The updated player will bring together Reels, longer videos, and live streams into a single full-screen, vertically oriented interface.

A New and Improved Video Viewing Experience

The changes are initially launching on iOS and Android in the US and Canada before a global rollout in the coming months.

Previously, the video viewing experience varied depending on the length or source of the content, with some playing in a feed-like player and others in a horizontal orientation.

With the new unified player, all videos, regardless of length or format, will open in a full-screen, vertical view, providing a viewing experience that appears to be tailored to the rise in Reels. 

In addition to the visual changes, Meta is also introducing improved video recommendations within the player. 

Using algorithms that analyze user interests, the platform will surface videos it believes users are most likely to enjoy, whether they are short-form Reels or longer tutorial videos.

New Functionality While Viewing

The updated player will also feature new controls and functionality, gradually rolling out over the next few weeks.

These include the ability to watch horizontal videos in a landscape view, a slider for easily skipping to specific points in the video, and controls for rewinding or fast-forwarding in 10-second increments.

Beyond the player itself, Meta is also enhancing video recommendations across the Facebook app, including on the News Feed and Video Tab. 

Users can expect to see more relevant video suggestions based on their interests, regardless of video length.

Additionally, the platform will continue to prioritize the growing demand for Reels by showcasing more of this short-form video content.

The changes to the video player and recommendation system could have implications for creators on Facebook.

FAQs

What are the key features of the new Facebook video player update?

The update introduces a unified video player where Reels, long videos, and live streams are presented in a full-screen, vertical interface.

This change is designed to create a seamless and immersive viewing experience across all video formats on Facebook, incorporating enhanced recommendation algorithms and new functional controls like landscape viewing and quick video navigation.

When and where is the updated Facebook video player launching?

The revamped video player is rolling out initially on iOS and Android platforms in the US and Canada. Following this initial phase, Meta plans to extend the update globally in the upcoming months, aiming to unify the video experience for users worldwide.

How will the updated video player improve video recommendations?

Meta has refined its recommendation engine to better align with user interests, employing algorithms to suggest videos that viewers are more likely to find engaging. This applies to both short-form Reels and longer content, with the aim of making discovery within the platform more intuitive and tailored to individual preferences.

What new functionality can users expect with this update?

Viewers will benefit from several new features, including the ability to watch horizontal videos in landscape mode for a better viewing experience, a slider for quick navigation to different parts of a video, and handy rewind and fast-forward controls. These enhancements are part of Meta’s effort to provide a more versatile and user-friendly video player.

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