Facebook to merge all video content into reels in major platform overhaul

Facebook has announced that all video content on its platform—regardless of format or length—will soon be published exclusively as Reels.

The update, which Facebook says will roll out globally over the coming months, marks the end of the distinction between standard video posts and Reels on the platform. The current “Video” tab will also be renamed to “Reels,” reflecting the platform’s unified approach to video content.

According to Facebook, this change is designed to streamline the video creation and publishing process, providing users with a single set of tools for all video uploads. The move mirrors a previous update on Instagram, where videos under 15 minutes were automatically turned into Reels beginning in 2022.

“Previously, users had to choose between uploading a video or a Reel using different workflows,” Facebook noted in a blog post. “Now, we’re bringing these together through a simplified publishing experience that includes access to more creative tools and unified audience controls.”

Under the new format, Facebook Reels will no longer be constrained by time or orientation. That means users can upload long-form or horizontal videos, though some may find this merging of formats disorienting—especially when longer videos are mixed into a feed traditionally dominated by short, vertically shot clips.

The shift also includes a revamp of privacy controls. Default audience settings for Feed posts and Reels will now be unified. When the update is implemented, users will be prompted to confirm or adjust their audience preferences—be it public, friends, or a custom group—before publishing new content.

Despite the rebranding, Facebook says the change won’t affect the types of videos users see in their feeds, which will continue to be personalized based on individual interests. Existing videos already posted will remain on user profiles and Pages, unaffected by the transition.

The platform insists that this move doesn’t signal a departure from diverse video content. Facebook will still support long-form and Live videos, but all new uploads will fall under the Reels umbrella. This realignment is likely to influence both user experience and content strategy for creators, some of whom may be challenged by the shift to a Reels-dominated format—particularly when posting content not optimized for vertical playback.

Facebook says creators will still be eligible for content distribution under the new system. However, some users may take issue with the forced format, especially when attempting to share content better suited to traditional widescreen presentation.

This overhaul comes as social media platforms increasingly prioritize short-form, mobile-friendly video formats to retain younger audiences and compete with apps like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The decision also signals Meta’s broader focus on integrating its apps under similar creative workflows, making content creation more uniform across Facebook and Instagram.

With Reels now set to become the default—and only—video format on Facebook, the platform is aligning itself with a growing trend that favors dynamic, algorithm-driven video content from a wide array of creators, including influencers and brands.