In a move aimed at restoring its shine in the social media world, Meta announced significant upgrades to the short video recommendation algorithm on Facebook. This step is part of the company’s efforts to make the platform more engaging for users and a strong competitor to short video apps, primarily TikTok.

Improvements Boost User Engagement

According to a report by the tech site The Verge, the new improvements aim to keep users on the platform longer by suggesting videos that better match their interests. Facebook’s algorithm has increased its focus on videos filmed on the same day by 50%, making the content more lively and engaging.

“Friend Bubble”… A Social Touch Bringing Facebook Back to Its Roots

Among the new features revealed by Meta is the Friend Bubble, a small bubble showing a friend’s picture and reaction to the video, allowing users to jump directly into a private chat by clicking on it. The company stated: “Seeing friends’ likes has always been a core part of the Facebook experience, and we continue to develop features that bring us back to the platform’s roots and original spirit.”

Mark Zuckerberg: “Returning to the Original Facebook”

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed enthusiasm for this new direction, emphasizing the goal of restoring Facebook’s position as a platform that combines entertainment and connection. Zuckerberg said in a previous statement: “Excited to return to the original Facebook.”

Encouraging Results and Tangible Changes

The report noted that these updates contributed to a 20% annual increase in short video views. The platform also removed previous restrictions on video length, so all clips are now displayed uniformly in Reels format within Facebook.

Competition Integration Between Facebook and Instagram

The changes are not limited to Facebook alone; these improvements coincide with similar developments on Instagram, also owned by Meta, as part of a unified strategy to make Reels the central viewing experience on both platforms.