While strategies for various social platforms should be slightly different, Facebook videos should be a priority. Video has dominated the social media space for several years now and continues to be a key medium.
In this article, we focus on Facebook videos, helping you understand the different types and formats, as well as the various tactics for getting the most out of your content.
Understanding Facebook video formats
Before you start brainstorming video content ideas, it’s important to understand the various Facebook video formats. Each type of video has different technical specs, and getting them right is extremely important.
Why do video formats and specs matter?
Using correct formats and specs isn’t just a technical box tick. These factors directly impact performance. Here’s why you need to pay attention to the finer details.
- User experience: Proper technical specifications ensure your videos appear as you want them, without pixelation, stretching, or awkward cropping. Modern social media users expect high-quality videos to be the standard.
- Optimisation on all devices: Getting aspect ratios right makes sure your Facebook videos are formatted correctly for users on different devices, including mobile, desktops, and tablets.
- Engagement and reach: Facebook’s algorithm prioritises high-quality, engaging videos, so correct formatting makes them more likely to rank higher on user feeds.
- Ad performance: Incorrect specifications will likely lead to your paid ads being rejected.
With that, let’s get into the different types of Facebook videos.
Facebook Feed videos
Feed videos appear on the Facebook News Feed. They’re the standard videos that users come across as they scroll. Feed videos are versatile with a 240-minute limit, meaning they can be used for a range of content, such as storytelling, promotions, interviews, reviews, testimonials, engagement-focused content, and more.
Facebook feed videos technical specifications
- Aspect ratio: 4:5 (vertical), 16:9 (horizontal), 1:1 (square), or 9:16 (full portrait)
- Video limit: 240 minutes (maximum)
- Resolution: 1080p+
- File format: MP4 or MOV (recommended)
- File size: 10GB (maximum)
Facebook Stories
Facebook stories are photos or videos displayed vertically that disappear after 24 hours. Photo stories last up to five seconds while videos can last up to 120. You can upload multiple stories back to back.
Facebook stories technical specifications
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Video limit: Up to 120 seconds for videos
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- File format: MP4 or MOV (recommended)
- File size: 4GB (maxium)
Facebook Reels
Facebook Reels are short-form, vertical-oriented videos, up to 90 seconds long (for US users 3 minutes long), designed for engaging and creative content. Much like Instagram reels (remember, they’re both part of the Meta family), they appear in a dedicated “Reels” section as well as in the Facebook feed.
Reels incorporate a number of features for optimisation, such as trending audio, filters, and effects. These provide simple methods for making your content more entertaining, jumping on viral trends, or showcasing creativity.
Facebook reels technical specifications
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Video limit: Up to 90 seconds
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- File format: MP4 or MOV (recommended)
- File size: 4GB (maxium)
Facebook video ads
Facebook offers paid video placements, allowing you to promote products, services, or specific campaigns. You can target specific audiences, ensuring your content reaches exactly who you want it to.
Video ads appear in various locations, including the News Feed, on Stories, Reels, or in-stream for longer videos. They are customisable, so you can choose the format and length that suits your needs. Plus, Facebook allows you to create tailored calls-to-action (CTAs). Plus, you can select a number of features, like autoplay and captions.
Facebook video ads technical specifications
- Aspect ratio: Varies on placement but can fit a number of aspect ratios
- Video limit: Up to 240 minutes
- Resolution: 1080p+
- File format: MP4 or MOV (recommended)
- File size: 4GB
Facebook live videos
Facebook live videos are real-time video broadcasts that allow your followers to stream content directly on Facebook. Facebook Live is the perfect medium for audience engagement as it allows immediate interaction through live comments, reactions, and even collaboration.
Facebook live video technical specifications
- Aspect ratio: 16:9 (horizontal)
- Video limit: Up to 8 hours
- Resolution: 720p (minimum)
- File format: MP4 or MOV (recommended)
- File size: N/A
How to download Facebook videos
Downloading Facebook videos is a helpful way for marketers to repurpose content and maximise its impact across platforms. Here’s how it’s done.
- Get permission for user-generated content (UGC)
- Ask for permission from the original creator before downloading or repurposing content to avoid copyright or ethical issues.
- Send a direct message to the creator asking for permission to use their content and specify what it will be used for.
- Credit the original creator when you repost the content.
- Use a download tool
- Copy the Facebook video link by clicking the three dots on the video and then selecting “Copy link”.
- Past the link into a trusted video download tool.
- Save the video to your device.
- Download Facebook Live videos
- Go to your page’s “Videos” section, select the live video, and download it directly from your account.
Sendible’s content library is the perfect place to store saved videos. It allows you to categorise content so it’s easily accessible for future use.
How to save Facebook videos
Saving videos on Facebook doesn’t download them to your device. Rather, it bookmarks them within your account, allowing you to easily find them later. Remember, when you save a video, you do not own the content. Therefore, to repurpose it, you’ll have to gain permission and save it through the steps mentioned above.
Why should you save Facebook videos?
Saving videos is a great way to compile high-performing or engaging content, monitor trends, get inspiration, or repurpose content.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Save videos directly
- Click the three dots on a video.
- Select “Save Video” to add it to your “Saved” section.
- Access saved videos from the left-hand menu on Facebook.
- Save Facebook Live videos
- Facebook Live videos automatically save to your profile.
- Access them through the left-hand menu on Facebook.
How to find liked videos on Facebook
Liking videos is a good way to engage with other accounts on social media. Plus, it’s a useful method of curating content. You can access the content you have liked if you want to seek inspiration for future videos or reach out to the creator for permission to reuse it.
Finding liked videos on Facebook is easy.
- Log into Facebook
- This can be done on a desktop or mobile device.
- Access your activity log
- Desktop: Click your profile picture, select “Settings & Privacy”, and click “Activity Log”.
- Mobile: Tap the three horizontal lines to access the menu, hit “Settings & Privacy”, and push “Activity Log”.
- Filter by “Likes and Reactions”
- In the Activity Log, click “Interactions” and then “Likes and Reactions” to view a list of posts you have liked (this will include all content, not just videos).
- Use the search function to find videos
- Type into the search bar to narrow down the results to specific content.
Your Activity Log is a useful place to store liked videos that you come across as you scroll. However, downloading your favourite videos to Sendible’s content library is a better way to store and organise content, as you can create folders and tags. To boot, you won’t have to filter through liked posts and images.
Can you see who watched your videos on Facebook?
When you post a story, you can see a list of users who have viewed it by tapping the eye icon on the button-left corner of the story.
When you broadcast live on Facebook, the names of the viewers pop up as they join or engage with the stream. However, Facebook doesn’t retain the names once the broadcast ends.
For all other video types, you can’t see the individual viewers, only aggregate metrics, like views, engagement, demographics, click-throughs, etc.
How can Sendible help with Facebook videos?
The biggest obstacle to creating videos, according to marketers, is time. Coming up with ideas, shooting content, editing, and scheduling can be a daunting task, especially if you market on multiple platforms.
Modern marketers have access to quality social media tools that can drastically reduce the workload and time needed to produce effective videos. Sendible makes the process much easier.
- Scheduling: Plan and schedule Facebook videos with Sendible’s intuitive scheduling system and calendar to maintain a consistent publishing schedule. And, you can schedule content from all platforms in one place, saving you time manually uploading to each app.
- Content previews: See exactly how your video content will appear on Facebook before it goes live, ensuring your aspect ratios, quality, resolutions, and other specs are flawless.
- Performance tracking: Sendible’s in-depth analytics provide insights into how your videos perform, helping you understand what works best and leading to continuous refinement and improvements.
By leveraging Sendible’s key features, you can reduce the time it takes to create engaging content and focus more on creating high-quality, engaging videos that resonate with your audience and positively impact your bottom line.
Try Sendible for free with our 14-day trial.