In this blog post and video, I want to look at the different types of Facebook video and ask a simple question: which type of Facebook video should you use?
I have been using Facebook for a long time, but recently I have been experimenting with some of the video features that I had hardly used before. I am currently taking part in a 30-day challenge, which has encouraged me to try different ways of creating and publishing content on Facebook.
Until recently, I had never really used Facebook Stories, and I had not used Facebook Live either. I was already familiar with normal Facebook videos and Reels, but once I started looking properly, I realised there are quite a few different ways to use video on Facebook.
Facebook Reels
Facebook Reels are probably one of the most familiar video formats. They are short-form videos, normally displayed vertically, and are very similar in appearance to YouTube Shorts.
I have been experimenting with Reels for some time now. In fact, I previously wrote about my first Facebook Reels and whether they actually work.
One advantage of a Reel is that it remains available after you publish it. This is one reason why I naturally tend to favour Reels over temporary content. However, I am learning that it is not always wise to assume that the format we personally prefer will necessarily produce the best results.
Facebook Stories
Stories are something that I had barely used until this recent challenge. Unlike a normal Facebook post or Reel, a Story is temporary and disappears after 24 hours.
At first, I struggled to understand why I would spend time creating something that disappears the following day. However, I have been hearing from people who are getting good results from Stories, so I have decided to experiment rather than dismiss them.
A Story does not need to be complicated. It could simply show what you are doing today, something you are working on, a quick tip, an announcement or a short piece of behind-the-scenes content.
Creating A Facebook Story From A PC
I normally create my content on a PC rather than a mobile phone, so I wanted to find out how easy it was to create a Story from my computer.
Fortunately, it is straightforward through Meta Business Suite. Once you are inside Business Suite and have selected the correct Facebook Page, there is an option to create a Story. This means I can prepare and edit my video on my computer and then upload it directly, which suits the way I work much better.
If you are building a business presence on Facebook, you may also find my complete guide to Facebook Pages useful, as I go through several of the features available to Page owners.
Regular Facebook Videos
We should not forget the traditional Facebook video. These are useful when you have something longer to say and do not want to squeeze everything into a short-form format.
I use this type of video regularly because many of the videos I create are more suited to explaining a subject properly. A longer video gives you time to demonstrate something on screen, explain what you are doing and give your audience more detail.
There is no reason why everything needs to become a Reel simply because short-form video is popular.
Facebook Live
Facebook Live is another area that I have only recently started experimenting with. I made my first live video while I was out walking the dogs and used my mobile phone rather than my usual PC setup.
The obvious difference with Facebook Live is that you are broadcasting in real time. There is no editing before the audience sees it, which gives Live video a very different feel from something that has been prerecorded and edited.
Live video could be useful for answering questions, sharing an update, demonstrating something or simply talking directly to your audience. I intend to try some more Facebook Lives and see what sort of response they receive.
Using Video In Facebook Groups
Video can also be used inside Facebook Groups where the particular Group allows it. As part of my current challenge, I have uploaded video content to a Group alongside other members who are doing the same thing.
This gives video another purpose because you may be communicating with a much more focused audience rather than simply publishing something publicly and hoping that the right people see it.
Which Facebook Video Format Is Best?
At the moment, I do not think there is one simple answer. Reels, Stories, regular videos and Live videos all have different purposes, and the results may also depend heavily on your niche and your audience.
My instinct would normally be to favour Reels because the content remains available, whereas a Story disappears. However, one of the reasons I am carrying out these experiments is to test what actually happens rather than relying on what I expect to happen.
The same principle applies to Facebook traffic in general. I recently wrote about a different way to get Facebook traffic, and I think it is important to remain open to testing different approaches.
Experiment And See What Works
One of the biggest lessons I am learning from my 30-day challenge is the value of actually trying things. It is very easy to decide that a particular method will not work without ever giving it a proper test.
Over the coming weeks, I intend to use more Stories, create some more Reels and experiment with Facebook Live. I will then be able to look at the actual results and see which type of Facebook video works best for me.
Your results may be completely different. Certain types of content may perform better in one niche than another, which is why testing your own audience is so important.
If you are using Facebook for your business, I would encourage you to experiment with the different video formats rather than relying on just one. You may discover that a feature you have previously ignored works far better than you expected.
If you have experience with Facebook Reels, Stories, regular videos or Facebook Live, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would be interested to know which format works best for you.