Meta has officially announced a significant shift in how video content will appear on Facebook. In an upcoming update, all videos uploaded to Facebook—regardless of length or format—will be shared as Reels. This means users will no longer be able to choose between standard video posts and Reels.
The change reflects Meta’s growing emphasis on short-form, mobile-friendly content and aligns Facebook with the Reels-first video strategy already implemented on Instagram.
To support this transition, Facebook’s existing “Video” tab will soon be renamed “Reels.” While the interface changes, Meta assures users that the types of videos recommended on the platform will remain the same. This means users will still see content based on their interests, regardless of video length.
Meta stated in a blog post, “You’ll continue to see Reels of all lengths relevant to your interests and from a growing community of creators on Facebook.”
The new update won’t happen overnight. According to Meta, the feature will roll out gradually over the coming months, giving users time to adapt to the shift. Traditional video uploads will be phased out, and all new video content will appear in the Reels format.
This change simplifies how content creators and casual users upload videos by unifying all formats into a single toolset.
Previously, Facebook allowed users to choose between uploading a Reel or a traditional video. Each option offered different settings and editing tools. With this update, Facebook will automatically publish every uploaded video as a Reel, regardless of whether it’s a 10-second clip or a 10-minute vlog.
This aligns with a similar move made by Instagram in 2022, where all videos under 15 minutes were converted into Reels. Facebook’s adoption of this model shows a unified push across Meta’s platforms to promote Reels as the primary video format.
One of the most significant benefits of this update is that users will now have access to Facebook’s full suite of creative tools for all video uploads. This includes:
Audio editing tools
Visual effects
Filters
Text overlays
Stickers and transitions
These tools were previously limited to Reels, but now anyone uploading a video will be able to take advantage of them, enhancing video quality and viewer engagement.
As part of this update, Facebook will also merge audience settings for Feed posts and Reels. This means the default audience preference will now apply universally across both video formats.
However, if a user previously had different privacy settings for standard videos and Reels, Facebook will prompt them to confirm or update their audience preferences. This ensures users maintain control over who sees their content.
Despite these changes, Facebook confirmed that privacy settings will remain unchanged. Users will still have the flexibility to share their Reels with:
Friends
Custom groups
The public
This guarantees that even with the new format, users retain full control over the visibility of their content.
By converting all videos into Reels, Facebook is following a larger trend across Meta platforms to simplify content formats and enhance discoverability. Reels are designed to be immersive and are favored by Facebook’s algorithms, potentially offering better reach and engagement for creators.
The new approach also streamlines the video upload process, reduces user confusion, and gives everyone access to advanced editing tools without needing to choose between two formats.
Conclusion
Facebook’s move to automatically convert all video uploads into Reels marks a major change in its content strategy. While some users may need time to adapt, the shift brings consistency, creativity, and wider reach to all video content. With a unified “Reels” tab, integrated tools, and simplified privacy controls, Facebook is doubling down on its commitment to short-form, engaging video content in 2025 and beyond.