Facebook Is Now Going After TikTok With Its Full-Screen Vertical Player: Here's How

Meta will soon introduce an updated mobile video player on Facebook. It will bring together longer videos, reels, and live content all in one full-screen portrait-oriented video format to enhance users’ engagement. As per a blog post by Meta, the updated video player will first be rolled out on iOS and Android in the US and Canada before launching globally in the coming months.

Under the new design, reels, long videos, and Facebook Live will by default be in full-screen, vertically oriented video when you tap on a video anywhere on the Facebook app. Previously, Facebook alternated between multiple formats for its video experience depending on the length of the video or where users were watching.

But the updated player will have improved recommendations for videos of all lengths based on users’ interests. For example, Facebook may recommend a reel giving you quick inspiration, a longer tutorial video on DIY house improvements from experienced homeowners, and a daily makeup routine.

The full-screen portrait-oriented video format will also have new controls, which the company will roll out over the next few weeks, giving users the power to watch videos however they like. Earlier, users might have seen horizontal videos or other videos that were directly played in a Feed-like player. But the upgraded full-screen video player will automatically turn to vertical videos.

It is worth noting that the look of the site will completely transform. It will include a full-screen option on most horizontal videos that allows users to just flip their phone to watch the clip in landscape view. Users can also easily skip to the part they’re most interested in using the slider at the bottom of the player.

Moreover, if you missed a part of the video, Meta now allows users to tap on the video to bring up controls. This control feature enables Facebook users to pause, jump back ten seconds, and fast-forward through the parts they want to skip.

Meta also stated that outside of the updated video player, Facebook users would find more relevant video suggestions, regardless of length, on Feed and the Video Tab. While Facebook remains the home for all sorts of videos, the company is working hard to present even more reels to match the growing demand for this format. These modifications also highlight that various creators will have a variety of opportunities to reach out to additional audiences they might not have reached before.