Short-Form Video Takes the Lead: Facebook and Instagram Go All-In on Reels to Catch Up With TikTok

Bybenoit


In the age of short-form dominance, Meta is doubling down on its video strategy.
Facebook and Instagram are now fully centered around Reels — positioning short videos as the main lever for growth, engagement, and retention.
Recent platform changes confirm the shift: everything points to a future built on Reels.


What’s Changing on Facebook


Meta has just rolled out a major update to the Facebook Reels recommendation algorithm with several clear objectives:
making feeds more relevant, prioritizing fresh content, and giving users more control over what they see.

Here’s what’s new:

  • The algorithm now “learns your interests faster,” according to Meta, to recommend Reels more closely aligned with your tastes.
  • You’ll now see 50% more Reels published the same day — upload and recommendation happen almost instantly.
  • The Save system has been redesigned to make organization easier and help the algorithm better understand user preferences.
  • New social features — such as “friend bubbles” — show which friends liked a Reel, with instant DM access when you tap the bubble.
  • AI-assisted search suggestions will soon appear on certain Reels, prompting users to explore related topics.

These changes are part of a broader transformation: Meta recently announced that all Facebook video formats are being unified into Reels, creating a single, consistent video experience across its platforms.

What’s Changing on Instagram

Instagram is currently testing a new interface in India and South Korea where the app now opens directly on the Reels tab.

Here’s how it works:

  • L’interface se lance sur la page Reels : l’utilisateur atterrit directement sur les vidéos courtes, au lieu du fil d’actualité classique.
  • Les Stories restent accessibles en haut, comme précédemment, mais certains éléments sont repositionnés : le bouton DM (messagerie) est déplacé vers le centre de la barre de navigation.
  • L’onglet « Following » (abonnements) se trouve désormais à côté de Reels, et propose trois options de flux : All (recommandations + abonnements), Friends (contenus de proches), et Latest (les plus récents).
  • Instagram backs this test with internal data: the company reports that short videos are reshared 4.5 billion times across Meta platforms.

The new interface is still in limited testing, but if feedback stays positive, a global rollout seems just around the corner.

Video — whether filmed in your studio or not — is quickly becoming the universal language across platforms.
And we can help you create it.

What It Means for Creators and Brands

The takeaway is clear: short-form video, whether filmed in-studio or not, is becoming the universal format across all platforms.
And yes — we can help you create them.

Here’s how to adapt your strategy :

  • React fast, post often: timely, news-driven videos will perform best.
  • Understand engagement signals: every save, “not interested,” or like helps train the algorithm.
  • Stay authentic in the age of AI: AI-generated content isn’t penalized — but human connection still wins.
  • Encourage interaction: comments, shares, and friendly reactions boost visibility.
  • Experiment visually: in a visual-first feed, bold formats, creative editing and strong hooks stand out.

In Short

Meta’s message is clear:
📍 short-form video isn’t just a trend — it’s the new default.
The platforms are built for it. The algorithms reward it.
And the creators who adapt first… will grow fastest.

Similar Posts