In a move that’s equal parts simplification and strategic flex, Meta has announced that all new videos uploaded to Facebook (yes, all of them) will now be classified as Reels. Whether it’s a short clip, a multi-minute vlog, or even a livestream, the content gets funnelled into the Reels format. The old distinctions between Feed videos, Live, and Reels? Consider them relics. Moving forward, it’s all Reels, all the time.
The platform is also scrapping the familiar ‘Video’ tab and replacing it with a ‘Reels’ tab, making the branding shift as visible as the functional one. The rationale is simple: reduce complexity for creators and standardize consumption for users. For Meta, it’s also a recommendation engine upgrade: when everything is a Reel, everything is eligible for algorithmic push. No toggles, no format friction, just one content stream to rule them all.
This doesn’t mean old videos will be retrofitted as Reels. Existing uploads will remain untouched. But starting now, anything new gets automatically dropped into the Reels bucket. If your privacy settings for Reels and Feed videos are different, you’ll get a prompt to review them, because those walls are coming down too.
To sweeten the shift, Meta is introducing new editing tools and creation options. The goal is to make the upload process intuitive and engaging, no matter the length or format of the content. The rollout will be gradual, hitting different profiles and Pages over the coming months. But the direction is clear: Reels are no longer just one format among many. They are the format.
The shift reflects a broader trend: Meta continues to double down on short?form, scrollable video that drives discovery on mobile. From last year’s full?screen mobile video player to Reels expansion on Instagram, the strategy is clear: push immersive, swipe-able video formats as core engagement catalysts .
This rollout will occur gradually, moving across pages and profiles worldwide in phases over the coming months. Of course, there’s a potential downside. Long-form content creators might feel buried under an avalanche of short, swipe-y videos. And users who prefer structured video tabs might find the new feed chaotic. But Meta is betting big on familiarity. The Reels format is now mainstream across platforms, and Meta wants Facebook to feel less like your parents’ social network and more like the dopamine scroll machine younger users are used to.
Whether it works remains to be seen. But Meta’s message is unmistakable: if you’re posting a video on Facebook, it’s a Reel. No opt-outs, no special categories. Just Reels, wrapped around whatever you want to say.
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