Facebook is giving its in-app video hub a makeover, inspired by the style of Instagram. The revamp includes incorporating Reels’ editing tools into all Facebook videos and introducing a new “Explore” section to showcase trending clips and recommendations.
Along with these changes, the video hub will undergo a name change from “Facebook Watch” to “Video.” The section will continue to be located at the top of the Facebook app and will feature short-form clips like Reels, live videos, and longer-form content.
This rebranding reflects Facebook’s evolving video strategy since the introduction of the “Watch” section in 2017. Initially focused on promoting TV shows and long-form content specifically created for Facebook, the company’s current video ambitions primarily revolve around Reels, its TikTok competitor, and algorithmically-recommended clips. Mark Zuckerberg has expressed a desire to transform Facebook into more of a “discovery engine,” emphasizing content discovery beyond users’ social networks.
The new video tab on Facebook introduces an “Explore” section, reminiscent of Instagram’s Explore grid. This section will feature trending videos and other recommendations grouped by hashtags.
To enhance integration between Reels on Facebook and Instagram, Meta (formerly Facebook) is unifying comments across the two platforms. Users will no longer need to switch to the Instagram app to comment on a Reel that originated on Instagram. Facebook has been encouraging users to cross-post Reels from Instagram to Facebook for some time.
The updates to the video hub are currently being rolled out to the Facebook app and website.
