Facebook Live allows users to broadcast live video streams on Facebook. It was introduced in 2016 and quickly became a popular way for people and organizations to share live videos with their followers. However, in 2022 there were rumors that Facebook may be getting rid of Live entirely. So what’s the real story? Did Facebook retire Facebook Live?
The short answer
No, Facebook has not gotten rid of Facebook Live. The live streaming service is still available for users to broadcast live videos on Facebook. The rumors in 2022 stemmed from Facebook’s announcement that they would be shifting focus away from the Facebook Live branding, but the core live streaming capabilities remain intact.
Examining the rumors
In 2022, a number of news outlets reported that Facebook was planning to discontinue its live streaming service entirely. These rumors were sparked by an announcement made by Facebook executives during a briefing with reporters in May 2022. According to the executives, Facebook would be “de-emphasizing” the Facebook Live branding as part of its broader shift toward short-form video and Reels.
The executives noted during this briefing that people were live streaming less overall, especially impromptu broadcasts. Instead, they were consuming more short-form, edited video content. As a result, Facebook wanted to pivot resources toward short-form video products, like Reels and Stories, that were aligning better with current user behavior and trends.
In this context, “de-emphasizing” Facebook Live branding meant that Facebook would no longer promote or highlight the Facebook Live label as much. Resources dedicated specifically to supporting the Facebook Live product would be downsized. However, Facebook executives clarified that live streaming capabilities themselves would remain an integral part of Facebook.
Facebook confirms live streaming is here to stay
Following the flurry of reports that Facebook Live the product was shutting down, Facebook representatives confirmed that live video streams were not going away. In a statement to TechCrunch, a Meta spokesperson said:
“Live is an integral part of Facebook. We have no plans to remove live video from Facebook. We’ve found people tend to interact less with Facebook Live as they connect with their communities in other ways, like through Feed, Stories, Reels and Groups.”
The key takeaway from this statement is that users will still have the ability to go live and broadcast video streams on Facebook. The Facebook Live branding and dedicated resources are being cut back, but the core live streaming capabilities remain intact.
Facebook Live’s capabilities remain
It’s understandable why the briefing comments caused confusion. After all, “de-emphasizing” and “shifting resources away from” Facebook Live sounds a lot like getting rid of it. However, the facts are:
- Users can still access Facebook Live from News Feed and Groups
- Creators and publishers can still schedule and broadcast live videos to followers
- The backend live streaming technology remains in place
Essentially, all the same Facebook Live tools and functionality still exist, even if the standalone Facebook Live branding is being downplayed in favor of highlighting Reels and short-form videos.
Why Facebook is shifting focus
Facebook’s reasoning for minimizing the Facebook Live branding makes sense when you consider changing user behavior and competition from other social platforms.
When Facebook first launched Live in 2016, it created a big splash and lots of people used it to live stream events. But that momentum has slowed over the years as the novelty wore off. Users are creating and consuming more edited, short-form video content than impromptu live streams.
TikTok and YouTube Shorts have exploded in popularity by catering to the short-form video format. Instagram Reels is Facebook’s attempt to capture that same audience within its own family of apps. From a competitive standpoint, Facebook is smart to devote more attention to short-form content.
The future of live streaming on Facebook
While Facebook Live branded broadcasts are decreasing, live video overall is certainly not dead. Live streaming remains hugely popular on platforms like Twitch, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. And Facebook is still home to many compelling live broadcasts, including:
- Live videos from news publishers and media outlets
- Live charity fundraisers and events like concerts or sports
- Live product launches, announcements, and coverage of big events
These valuable use cases will continue on Facebook even as casual live streaming declines. So while the Facebook Live era is ending, live video still maintains an important place in the social media landscape.
Going forward, Facebook seems intent on integrating live streams seamlessly into its broader content ecosystem: Feeds, Stories, Reels, Groups etc. Rather than a standalone live streaming destination, expect live video capabilities to become more baked into the everyday social experience across Facebook and Instagram.
Conclusion
In summary, Facebook Live as a product and brand is being deprioritized, but core live streaming capabilities are here to stay. Casual live broadcasting by everyday users is decreasing. But professional live video content remains highly engaging. As video consumption continues evolving, Facebook is adapting its strategy – but not eliminating live streams entirely.