The Rise of Reels

After a swift takeover of Instagram, Reels are now available globally on Facebook.

Reels are a short-form video format wideely seen as a response to TikTok. Crucially, Reels can be shared on Facebook AND cross-posted to and from Instagram in order to reach a broader audience.

The product was first launched on Instagram in 2020 and came to Facebook last September. Now, it’s available in 150 more countries.

According to Meta:

“Watching video is half of time spent on Facebook and Instagram, and Reels is our fastest growing content format by far.”

— Meta

New Reels features are also coming for creators, including:

• Remix: “Create your own reel alongside an existing, publicly-shared reel on Facebook. When you create a Remix, you can create a reel that includes all or part of another creator’s reel.”

• 60-second Reels

• Save as Draft

• Video Clipping (coming soon)

• Reels Overlay Ads – Features for creators that involves adding a sticker/banner to a Reel as a way to earn money.

Reels are also going to be seen in more places in the apps, including:

• Stories

• Watch tab

• Top of Feed

• Suggested Reels in Feed

• Groups

Why it Matters

Following the astonishing rise of TikTok, it’s safe to say that short-form video may just be the king of social media content right now. This is a key feature to be using and honing on any social platform. Keep an eye on Meta, as tactics like the Reels Overlay Ads may entice more creators to prioritize Facebook/Instagram if they see that as an easier way to earn income.

---

Related Social Media News

Check out our latest social media updates below, or view all posts.

Here are a few more shareworthy items we’ve been reading this month…

Channel Updates & News:

• Facebook iOS Underreporting Down from an estimated 15% to 8% (FB Business News)

• Clubhouse adds in-room Chat (Clubhouse blog)

• You can now change your Snapchat username (Snap news)

• LinkedIn Tests New Option to Switch Off Political Posts in Your Feed (Social Media Today)

• Where YouTube is Headed in 2022 (YouTube blog)

• Twitter Tests New 'Articles' Option (Social Media Today)

• FB's "News Feed" is now just "Feed" (@aledeheath, The Verge)

• Snapchat will let users share their real-time location with friends (The Verge)

• Snapchat partnering with Ticketmaster to show nearby events in Maps (Snap Blog) 

• YouTube Adds New Shorts Shelf in Channel Listings (Social Media Today)

• Meet Reddit’s new Discover tab (RedditInc blog)

Stories & Analysis

• What Feature Should Facebook Add to Improve the User Experience? (Social Media Today)

• Why Empowering Users Matters More than Privacy Policies (Snap business blog)

• Russia partially blocks Facebook for fact-checking state-owned media (The Verge)

• 12 Important Instagram Trends to Watch in 2022 (Hootsuite blog)

• Trump's Truth Social app can't beat Twitter, but it doesn't have to (The Verge)

• Top Voices in Remote Work: The 10 creators to follow (LinkedIn News)

• Examining Our Relationship with Algorithms (The Cut)

• TikTok sees a surge of misleading videos claiming to show Ukraine invasion (NPR)

Looking for More Social Media Help?

The expert team at Dooley Social Studio helps brands get attention by being thoughtful about how they give it. Our goal is to make every social interaction with your company a remarkable one. Get in touch to find out how a partnership with Dooley Social Studio can grow your brand.