All Facebook Videos Are Now Reels – What Marketers Need to Know About Meta’s Latest Update

Another major Meta update is here and this one could have a big impact on your video strategy. In a move to simplify content creation and keep pace with the rise of short-form video, Meta is turning all new Facebook videos into Reels.

If you’ve been juggling between uploading traditional videos or Reels on Facebook, you’ll now only have one option: Reels.

Here’s everything you need to know about the change and how to adapt your content for success.

What’s Changing?

Previously, Facebook offered three video formats: videos, Reels, and Stories. Going forward, only Reels and Stories will remain.

This means:

• All new videos uploaded to Facebook will automatically be published as Reels

• The change applies across both profiles and Pages

• Existing video content on your page will remain unchanged

• Live videos are not affected. They will still be treated separately

Meta says this is all about streamlining the video creation process and aligning with user behaviour, which increasingly favours short, vertical video.

What This Means for Creators and Brands

This update brings Facebook’s video strategy more in line with Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, all platforms where vertical video dominates.

To stay competitive, your Facebook content needs to follow Reels best practices, including:

• 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical format)

• Captivating content in the first 3 seconds

• Ideally under 60 seconds

• Public visibility settings for maximum reach

You can still control audience settings on your Reels, choosing to show them to friends, select groups, or the public. But from a business perspective, going public is essential for reach and engagement.

What About Analytics?

Video performance metrics are also evolving. Meta confirmed that:

• Video and Reels insights will be merged into one unified Reels analytics section

• This will help marketers better track performance and understand what content is truly resonating

It’s also worth noting that Meta’s demo image oddly showcased a landscape video being displayed as a Reel, an example that unintentionally highlights why vertical format is best. Landscape content in a vertical Reel layout leaves awkward blank space, reducing viewer immersion.

What You Should Do Now

If you’re already creating Reels for Instagram, repurposing them on Facebook is now seamless.

Here’s how to get ready:

1. Reformat existing videos to vertical where possible
2. Shorten long-form content into 60-second highlights
3. Use compelling hooks to grab attention early
4. Check your privacy settings to ensure your content reaches the right audience
5. Start reviewing Reels analytics to learn what’s working best

Final Thoughts

This move signals Facebook’s commitment to short-form, mobile-first video. Reels are no longer optional, they’re now the default. For brands and creators, that means one thing: it’s time to embrace the format fully.