Facebook Redefines Video, Turning Reel Into TikTok
Facebook is unifying all videos on its platform into a Reels format, erasing the distinction between short and long videos. The move promises to increase engagement, but it also leaves many people concerned about the experience.
Facebook Videos Will Just Be Reels
According to Meta, from now until the end of 2025, all videos posted on Facebook, including short clips, long videos and livestreams, will be converted to Reels format. The Video tab will be renamed Reels, and users will share a single upload tool with many editing features such as adding music and effects.
The goal is to make it easier to create and watch videos, while also capitalizing on the popularity of Reels — a format that now accounts for more than 140 billion views per day across Facebook and Instagram, according to Meta. But the change has also been controversial, as horizontal videos can be squeezed into vertical frames, or longer videos mixed with shorter clips in the same stream.
What are users worried about?
Many Vietnamese users expressed concerns about finding their favorite content. Nguyen Thi Lan, 35, from Hanoi, said: "I often watch livestreams selling products or long cooking videos. If it is mixed with short clips, it will be difficult to find."
The Reels format favors vertical 9:16 video, which is great for mobile, but can reduce the quality of horizontal (16:9) video on a computer or TV. Content creators, especially those making documentary and interview videos, have also had to adjust their production to accommodate the new interface.
On social network X, some comments reflect: "Facebook forces everything into Reels, how can you watch long videos when the frames keep getting cut?"
"Tiktokization" strategy
The consolidation of videos is part of Facebook's "TikTokization" strategy, which prioritizes short, easy-to-watch, and easy-to-spread content. Reels now has no time or format limits, allowing for long videos to be posted. However, this can reduce diversity, making it difficult for users who love in-depth videos or livestreams to find suitable content.
Meta is committed to maintaining privacy controls, requiring users to confirm their audience when posting Reels. Old videos will not be affected, only new videos will apply the general format.
Combining videos into Reels is Facebook’s move to keep up with the trend of short-form content. However, if not optimized, this change can be inconvenient for users who love long-form videos. Users and creators will need to get used to the new interface to get the most out of the platform.
