YouTube has long been the leader of online video, boasting more than one billion users and counting. The Google-owned and operated service allows users to upload and share videos in just a few easy steps. However, Facebook has announced plans to compete with YouTube by placing a greater emphasis on video content with a new video tab in-app.
Facebook isn’t exactly a newcomer to video content. In recent 
months, the social media giant began the early stages of testing 360-degree panoramic videos, as well as a new “Suggested Videos” feature that automatically displays related videos to users. The vast majority of Facebook users have responded to these new features with praise, indicating a growing new trend towards the use of video in social media.
But Facebook isn’t stopping there. Earlier this week, it announced plans to launch a new feature that will allow users to watch videos in a separate floating window while being logged into their Facebook account. Currently, users are required to watch videos through their newsfeed. This isn’t necessarily a poor method of displaying/viewing videos, but it’s not optimized for mobile traffic. YouTube mobile, for instance, utilized a floating window for videos, and it works incredibly well across a variety of different devices, promoting a positive user experience.
In a press release, Facebook attributed its focus on video to the ever-growing demand of this media among users.
“We know people enjoy these more immersive video experiences, but we’re also learning that people want to watch videos in different ways at different times,” wrote Facebook in a press release announcing the new video features. “We have been testing a number of new features that give people more flexibility when watching videos, whether you’re watching a video in News Feed on-the-go or sitting down to enjoy multiple videos back-to-back.”
So, what should you take away from this information? If you are a small business owner or marketer who uses social media, it’s important to include video in your efforts. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a million. It allows business owners and marketers to connect with their target audience in a more direct and personal manner, which often results in more conversions. And with Facebook continuing its efforts to utilize video, this a trend that isn’t going away anytime soon.
If you have videos you would like uploaded to a YouTube channel or a Facebook page, contact us to help you. If you’d like to have some videos created highlighting your business, we can refer you to some videographers in the Austin area.
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