Searching for videos on Facebook just got easier

 

Searching for videos on Facebook

We’re introducing an updated video player to Facebook that brings together Reels, longer videos, and live content into one fullscreen, engaging experience. The updated video player will be available first on iOS and Android in the US and Canada, and globally in the coming months.

GIF of the updated video player.

When you tap a video anywhere on the Facebook app, you’ll now continuously see a fullscreen, vertically oriented video. Previously, depending on the length of the video or where you were watching, you might have seen videos playing horizontally or in a feed-like player.

Within the upgraded fullscreen video player, we’ll also have better recommendations for videos of all lengths based on your interests that we think you’re most likely to enjoy. For example, we might recommend a reel that will inspire you for a quick, daily makeup routine or a longer tutorial video on DIY home improvements from experienced homeowners.

The updated, fullscreen video player will also have new controls that will roll out over the next few weeks, letting you watch videos the way you want.

While videos will automatically appear vertically, you’ll notice a new fullscreen option on most horizontal videos that allows you to flip to view in landscape view.

Screen showing landscape mode for watching videos.

You can easily jump to the part that interests you most using the slider at the bottom of the player.

A GIF of the scrubber function while watching a video.

Did you forget the last step of the recipe? Tap the video to bring up controls that enable you to go back ten seconds, pause while you mix your recipe ingredients and then fast forward through the parts you want to skip.

A GIF that shows how you can go forward or backward, or change the playback speed.

Outside of the new player, you’ll also now see more relevant video recommendations, regardless of length, on the Feed and Videos tabs. And while Facebook continues to be the home of videos of all types, we’ll be showcasing even more Reels to meet the growing demand for this format.

These updates also mean that more types of creators will have more opportunities to reach additional audiences that they might not have been able to reach before.

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