Facebook â¤Unveils New Fullscreen Video Player for⤠Enhanced Viewing Experience
In a bid to⢠provide users with a more âseamlessâ and engaging video experience, Facebook is rolling out â¤a revamped, â¤fullscreen video âplayer onâ Wednesday. The new player, initially launching in the U.S. and Canada, aims to â˘deliver a⤠consistent design and experience⣠across âŁvarious video formats, including short-form Reels, long-form videos, and⢠live content, â¤as stated in the company’s announcement.
Streamlined Video â¤Watching and Sharing
The â˘upgraded player seeks to simplifyâ the process of watching and sharing⤠video content on the platform. Notably, the player will⤠default to displaying â˘videos in vertical mode, similar to TikTok, while also enabling Facebook âto suggest the â˘most relevant video to watch ânext, regardless of⣠its length or format.
Potential Impact on⢠Key Metrics
This change could potentially influence crucial factors that creators and advertisers prioritize, such as âŁwatch time, view count, reach, andâ more. For Facebook, an increase in video consumption âon the platform may lead toâ longerâ timeâ spent on-site, asâ well as higher advertising views âand clicks, among other benefits.
Enhanced Video Recommendations
The improved video recommendations will extend beyond the⢠player, appearing âon the Facebook Feed and Video tab. Additionally, Facebook plans to showcase more âReels to users, acknowledging the growing demand for short-form audio content.
Image Credits: Meta
New Controls and Features
The upgraded⤠player will â˘introduce new controls, such as âa fullscreen mode for⤠horizontal â¤videos andâ a âŁslider for navigating through longer⣠videos. Users willâ also be able to tap on the video to⤠access additional options, â¤like pausing and skipping forwardâ or backwardâ by 10 seconds.
Image Credits: Meta
Capturing the âŁAttention⤠of Younger Audiences
While Facebook’sâ popularity among Gen â¤Zâ has â˘waned over the past decade, as reported by⤠NBC News, â¤recent trends suggestâ that young people are⣠rediscovering âthe platform for its⣠Marketplace feature,⣠as â˘highlighted by The âNew York⤠Times. This presents an opportunity⣠forâ Facebook to capture their attention â¤through other means, such as Gen Z’s preferred â¤social âformat: âvideo.
Moreover, there areâ indications that Gen Z is reviving âŁold Facebook features, like the ⢔Facebook poke,” âas reported by NBC News. Inâ March, â¤Facebook announced a 13x increase in pokes over the âprevious month.
Potential Impactâ of TikTok Ban
The introduction âof the ânew video⢠player comes at⣠a time when U.S. lawmakers are considering a potential TikTok ban. If implemented, this could leadâ to an increase in video consumptionâ on alternative social platforms, making Facebook’s video player upgrade a timely move.
4 Comments
Facebook’s stepping into TikTok’s turf nowâlet the battle of the vertical videos begin!
Another day, another attempt to keep up with the cool kids, am I right?
Looks like Facebook’s trying to ride the TikTok wave with that vertical video player, interesting move!
Facebook’s going vertical now? TikTok better watch its back!