Meta introduces new features to Facebook Reels and increases maximum video length to 90 seconds

Meta declared its plan to enable extended Facebook Reels lasting up to 90 seconds and introduce some innovative creative instruments.

Previously, Facebook Reels were limited to a maximum duration of 60 seconds. However, several months after Meta's launch of extended support for Instagram Reels, which can now be up to 90 seconds long, Facebook Reels is now following suit. This change comes in response to TikTok's expansion into YouTube's domain, offering videos that can last up to 10 minutes instead of just three.

In addition to this, the company is introducing more creative tools, such as a new templates feature that allows users to create Reels using popular templates. This feature was introduced to Instagram Reels last year and allows users to create new Reels using the same format as one they have just watched. The templates feature is quite similar to TikTok's own template option.

Meta's Facebook Reels is introducing a new "Grooves" feature that uses visual beat technology to automatically synchronize the motion in your video to the beat of your preferred song. This syncing feature has been a defining characteristic of TikTok and was first rolled out for Instagram Reels last year before making its way to Facebook Reels. It's worth noting that these features have been available on Instagram for over seven months, indicating that Meta may have wanted to see how they performed on Instagram before bringing them over to Facebook.

Facebook launched Reels as part of its response to the TikTok threat. While initially aimed at directly competing with TikTok inside the Instagram app, Meta realized that it could launch a more potent counteroffensive by integrating Facebook and allowing cross-posting between the two social networks. Meta claims that Reels is its fastest-growing format, with a doubling in the number of Reels plays on Facebook and Instagram over the past year, and more than doubled reshares of Reels in the past six months. The company plans to introduce additional features for Reels to make it simpler for creators to get noticed.