Reels Officially Debut on Facebook for US Android, iOS Users

After testing Facebook Reels last month with a small percentage of Android and iOS users in the U.S., the social network is officially rolling out the feature Wednesday for all Android and iOS users in the U.S. Short-form Reels videos debuted on Instagram in the U.S. in August 2020. Reels on Facebook can be found in News Feed or in groups, and users viewing Reels can follow the creator directly via the video, as well as like, comment on and share the content. The short-form videos can be created by tapping Reels at the top of News Feed or a group’s feed, or while watching other Reels. Creative editing tools available for Facebook Reels include: Audio: Users can search for a song from the Facebook music library or use their own original audio by simply recording a Reel with it. Audio can be added from the camera before clips are captured later. Reels can also be created with original audio from other public Reels by selecting Use Audio from those Reels.AR Effects: Effects in Facebook’s augmented reality library are created by either Facebook or third-party developers, and people record multiple clips with different effects.Timer and Countdown: Set the timer to record clips hands-free, without having to press the shutter button.Speed: Speed up or slow down videos while recording, which helps creators stay on a beat or make slow motion videos.Multi-Clip: People can stitch together multiple clips into a single reel either by recording them together or selecting them from the gallery. Reels on Facebook are set to be public for creators 18 and older, but that setting can be changed at any time, with options including Public, Friends, or Friends Except. The social network also shared ways for creators on its platform to use Reels and reach new audiences: Get discovered in News Feed: Reels can reach everyone, not just existing followers. People can discover Reels based on their interests and what’s popular in a new, dedicated News Feed section.Express yourself in groups: Creators and group members can create and share Reels in groups to express themselves and engage in a more fun and visual way with their favorite interest communities, and a new “Single Theme” group setting is being rolled out for administrators to make it easy for them to prompt members to share their Reels.Share from Instagram to Facebook: Facebook is testing the ability for Instagram creators to have their Reels recommended on Facebook, on an opt-in basis. Finally, Facebook detailed a new bonus program to help creators monetize their Reels on both Facebook and Instagram. Eligible creators will be paid based on the performance of their Reels, and the Reels Play bonus will start out as invite-only and in the U.S., potentially expanding over time. Interested creators can learn more here. Facebook said in a Newsroom post Wednesday, “We’re focused on developing a suite of creator monetization options and will explore additional opportunities for them to earn money for their Reels. On Facebook, we will test sticker ads and banner ads in Reels and explore integrating with Stars. And similar to Instagram Reels, we’ll soon begin testing full-screen and immersive ads between Reels to help small businesses and brands connect with new audiences in delightful ways. As with organic Reels content, people can comment, like, view, save, share and skip them.”

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Reels Officially Debut on Facebook for US Android, iOS Users

The social network is testing the ability for Instagram creators to have their short-form videos recommended on its platform

David Cohen

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