Meta is turning all Facebook videos into Reels

Facebook is once again overhauling how it presents video content on its platform, with a major change set to redefine what users have come to expect from the app's video tab. Meta announced that the section currently labeled “video,” previously known as “watch,” will now be renamed simply “reels.” More significantly, all videos shared on Facebook—regardless of their length, format, or how they were filmed—will now fall under the broader category of reels.

The company says this move is intended to simplify the experience for both creators and viewers. In the past, users had to choose between uploading a video as a “reel” or as a standard video post. Reels were typically short-form, vertically oriented clips that appeared across Facebook’s recommendation engine, while standard videos included everything from longer-form content and livestreams to private clips shared only with friends. With this shift, that distinction is being eliminated altogether.

Meta is positioning the change as a step toward streamlining how video is consumed and created on the platform. While the reel format initially catered to videos of one minute or less, its boundaries have been expanding—especially on Instagram, where reels can now run up to three minutes. Facebook is going even further by removing time limits entirely. Users will now be able to upload and view reels of any duration and orientation, whether it’s a quick 30-second vertical clip or a detailed 20-minute horizontal episode.

However, this rebranding could cause confusion. The term “reels” is strongly associated with short, fast-paced videos, particularly on Instagram and TikTok. Expanding its definition to include longer and more traditional video content could challenge user expectations. The shift also differs from how Instagram continues to handle video, where there are still strict time limits for reels.

Privacy concerns may also arise as a result of this change. Traditionally, reels on Facebook are public by default, while many users prefer to share personal videos with only a select group of friends. Meta has acknowledged this issue and says it will prompt users to check and adjust their privacy settings once the new system is rolled out, to ensure their videos are only shared with the intended audience.

The rollout of the new video system will be gradual, taking place over the coming months. Meta says this will give users time to adapt to the updated experience. As the lines between short and long-form video continue to blur, the company appears to be aiming for a unified format that prioritizes ease of use, discoverability, and consistency across platforms—even if it means redefining what the term “reels” actually means on Facebook.