Meta had just announced a couple of new updates for Facebook Reels, including longer clip lengths, ‘Memories integration,” and new trending Reels templates. With everybody else seemingly doubling-down on their local short-form formats, perhaps Meta saw fit to follow suit to avoid getting left behind in terms of engagement and reach.

Reel In The Rod

First up is on Reels length – Facebook Reels can now be up to 90 seconds long, an extra 30 seconds on top of the previous limit. In a way, it does rail against the whole ‘short’ element of ‘short-form’ video. Then again, almost every app has been gradually expanding the length of their short-form offerings to maximize usage and engagement. For a bit of context, on TikTok, you can now upload videos up to 10 minutes long, while YouTube Shorts are now at 60 seconds max.

Meta’s also integrating Memories into the mix with a new option to ‘Share as Reel’ from your Memories prompt, which, in all honesty, is a clever move. Millions of Facebook users share their Memories in the app daily, and adding Reels as a distribution option could prove to be an easy way to get more people engaging with the format, and checking out Reels in the app.

Meta’s also adding ‘Grooves’, which will automatically align your video with the beat of the music you choose. TikTok has several similar options on this front, providing an easy way to make synched video clips, which can be both more engaging and visually more appealing.

Lastly, Meta’s expanding its Reels templates option to Facebook, which makes it easier to replicate trending video styles and formats. Reels templates are already available on Instagram, with this new variation also highlighting specific trending clips that should equip you with more ways to tap into the latest styles. While it might be a direct replica of TikTok, Reels has been a huge for Meta, with Reels views across Facebook and Instagram more than doubling over the last year. Reshares of Reels have also been doubling, across both Facebook and Instagram, over the last 6 months. 

The Wrap

Short-form video is the definitive format of the moment, and it makes sense for Meta to double down where it can, while it could also leave Meta well-placed to fill the void left by TikTok in case it does get completely banned. And it’s not impossible – TikTok had already been banned in India, where both YouTube and Instagram have gained significant traction, serving as viable alternatives to TikTok. If the same does happen again, at least for the US, then that would make Meta’s Reels replicant approach look even better.

Sources 

http://bit.ly/3IWk6Xh