Facebook has unveiled a revamped full-screen video player, aiming to enhance the viewing experience across all video formats on the platform. This update introduces a unified design for the playback of Reels, longer videos, and Live content, catering to the diverse video consumption preferences of its user base. Initially rolling out on iOS and Android in the US and Canada, the update promises a global launch in the forthcoming months.
The updated video player offers an immersive full-screen, vertical viewing experience by default, addressing the previous inconsistencies encountered with video orientations. For videos originally in horizontal format, a new full-screen option now allows users to switch to landscape view effortlessly. This update also brings advanced controls, including a slider for easy navigation through videos, and quick-access buttons for a 10-second skip forward or backward, enhancing the user’s ability to interact with video content more effectively.
One of the standout features of this update is the focus on vertical video presentation, which aligns with the growing trend of mobile-first content consumption. Even horizontal videos now come with a full-screen option to switch to landscape view, catering to diverse viewing preferences. Moreover, the updated player integrates improved video recommendations, ensuring users are presented with content that resonates with their interests, from quick makeup tutorials to comprehensive DIY home improvement guides.
Aside from the direct benefits to viewers, this update is a boon for creators as well. With more precise and relevant video recommendations, creators have a greater chance of reaching new audiences. Facebook’s move to enhance video discovery and engagement could potentially open up new opportunities for creators to showcase their work to a wider audience, fostering community growth and interaction.
Moreover, Facebook’s enhanced video recommendation algorithm now curates more relevant content for users, based on their interests, across all video lengths. This improvement aims to facilitate the discovery of new content, ranging from quick Reels to more extensive tutorial videos, thereby enriching the overall content exploration experience on the platform.
Additionally, the introduction of this updated video player is set to offer more opportunities for creators by expanding their reach to new audiences, further establishing Facebook as a versatile platform for both content creation and consumption.
