Facebook unveils vertical-first video player to take on TikTok

Jean Gilles
Jean Gilles 2 Min Read

Facebook is rolling out a brand new full-screen video player on Wednesday. The upgrade streamlines how you watch and share all your favorite content, from bite-sized Reels to longer videos and even live streams.

The key feature? A unified viewing experience. No matter the video format, you’ll get a consistent design that makes switching between them seamless. Plus, the player defaults to vertical mode, making it perfect for mobile viewing.

But that’s not all! Facebook is also adding a smarter recommendation system, offering the most relevant videos as suggestions to keep you entertained, regardless of whether it’s a quick Reel, an in-depth documentary, or a live event.

Photo Credit: Meta

This new video player will launch first in the U.S. and Canada, with a global rollout planned soon after. Get ready for a smoother and more engaging way to experience videos on Facebook.

Facebook is also expanding its improved video recommendations beyond the player, making them appear in your News Feed and Video tab. To keep pace with the growing popularity of short videos, expect to see more Reels popping up in your Facebook feed.

The new player will offer a full-screen mode for horizontal videos and a handy slider to jump through longer videos. Plus, a simple tap on the video lets you pause, rewind, or fast-forward 10 seconds at a time.

The new focus on vertical videos reflects how we watch content now – mostly on our phones! This mobile-first approach starts with the U.S. and Canada on iOS and Android, with a global rollout planned soon after.

The new focus on vertical videos reflects how we watch content now – mostly on our phones! This mobile-first approach starts with the U.S. and Canada on iOS and Android, with a global rollout planned soon after.

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