Facebook’s New Vertical Video Display: A TikTok-Inspired Update

Facebook is unveiling a major update with a new full-screen video player, aligning its platform more closely with the popular short-form video trend popularized by TikTok. The update ensures that all videos on the app will display in a vertically oriented format, similar to TikTok’s layout, offering users a more immersive viewing experience. Alongside the visual enhancements, Facebook is refining its video recommendations algorithm to provide users with personalized content tailored to their interests, with a focus on promoting Reels, short-form videos akin to TikTok.

This move underscores Facebook’s recognition of TikTok’s influence on social media development and user behavior, as platforms across the industry strive to replicate its success. Despite concerns surrounding TikTok’s potential links to the Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P.), its popularity continues to shape the trajectory of social media platforms, prompting industry-wide adaptations to meet evolving user preferences. With Facebook’s updated video player rolling out in the U.S. and Canada, and plans for global expansion, users can expect a more dynamic and engaging video experience on the platform, catering to the evolving behaviors of younger audiences.