Facebook will soon be rolling out its Facebook Reels feature to Android and iOS worldwide, adding new editing tools to it. It will also be expanding monetization options for Reels creators and the ways users can support them—particularly in how ads appear on the videos.
First launched in September 2021 for the US, Facebook Reels is the popular social media platform’s short-form video feature and its own take on the highly-successful TikTok app. With Instagram also having its own Reels feature, Facebook has assessed that it’s their current fastest-growing content format by far.
The plan is to launch Reels on Android and iOS in more than 150 countries, which expands their support for Reels creators, too. Testing for Reels overlay ads with creators will begin in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and to more countries in the coming weeks. These non-interruptive ads will come in two formats: semi-transparent banner ads at the bottom of a Reel and static sticker ads that can be placed anywhere.
Users will also be able to support creators by buying and sending Stars while watching Reels. Plus, Reels will now be found on various sections on Facebook, such as Stories, Groups, Watch, and Feed. New editing features will also be added to the Reels creator. These are 60-second Reels, Drafts, Video Clipping, and Remix—which lets you create your own Reel alongside an existing publicly-shared Reel.
Other planned features include brand suitability controls—to give advertisers more control over how their ads appear in various places—and sharing of Reels via app crossposting. Regardless of how long until these updates will be released, both creators and users will benefit from the emphasis placed on this feature. Advertisers, in particular, will have more ways to promote their products and services on Facebook.
