Facebook is constantly evolving and adding new features. One of the more recent additions has been Facebook Reels – short videos similar to TikTok. While Reels are quite popular, you may prefer watching longer videos on Facebook. Thankfully, there are still ways to watch full-length videos and avoid all the Reels. Here are some tips for watching videos on Facebook instead of reels.
Use the Video Tab
The easiest way is to use the dedicated Videos tab on Facebook. This tab aggregates all the videos shared across Facebook into one place. Here are the steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone or navigate to Facebook.com on a desktop.
- Click on the “Videos” tab in the shortcut bar near the top.
- You’ll see longer videos from friends, pages you follow, and groups you’ve joined. Keep scrolling to discover more videos.
The Videos tab excludes the Reels and is focused solely on longer videos. This makes it the simplest option if you want to avoid short-form content.
Follow Pages That Post Long Videos
Another tip is to follow Facebook pages that regularly share longer videos. Here are some popular pages that share lengthy videos:
- News outlets like CNN, Fox News, etc.
- TV shows and networks
- Sports teams and leagues
- Educational pages like TED, Khan Academy, etc.
- Cooking channels like Tasty
- Travel pages like National Geographic
When you follow these kinds of pages, their videos will show up frequently in your main News Feed. You can scroll past any Reels and enjoy their full-length videos.
Join Facebook Groups Focused on Long Videos
Similar to pages, there are many Facebook groups dedicated to sharing certain types of videos. For example:
- TV show fan groups often share episodes and clips
- Music groups share new music videos
- Educational groups post lectures and how-to videos
- DIY, cooking, and hobby groups share tutorials
- Travel groups post scenic videos
Finding and joining these niche groups is a great way to see more of the videos you want without disruptive Reels.
Search for Videos
You can also find videos by using Facebook’s search bar. Just type in keywords related to the type of videos you’re looking for.
For example, search “cooking videos”, “movie trailers”, “live concerts”, etc. Then use the filters to narrow your search to just videos. This prevents Reels and other content from showing up.
Use Saved Videos
Whenever you see a longer video you want to watch later, save it to your Saved Videos collection. Here’s how:
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the video post.
- Select “Save Video”.
This adds the video to the Saved section of your profile. You can access these any time without wading through Reels.
Leverage Facebook Watch
Facebook Watch is a dedicated video hub on Facebook, featuring shows, live streams, and more. Watch has longer videos separated from the Reels and short clips.
To access Watch:
- Tap the Watch tab in the shortcut menu at the bottom.
- OR go to fb.com/watch on desktop.
Watch has sections like Most Recent, Live, Shows, Gaming, and more. Spend some time exploring to uncover videos that appeal to you.
Use Bookmarks
If you find videos you want to watch across Facebook, bookmark them for later.
On desktop, click the Bookmark icon on videos to add them. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu and select “Save to Bookmarks”.
This aggregates videos so you can easily access them later. It prevents you from having to hunt through Reels to find them again.
Leverage Facebook’s Video Platforms
Facebook owns other video platforms that may appeal to you more than the main Facebook app. For example:
- Facebook Gaming – For watching gaming live streams.
- Oculus – For virtual reality videos and experiences.
- Portal – For video calling smart displays.
Check out these specialized platforms if you want long-form video content without the Reels and News Feed noise.
Use Ad Preferences to Reduce Reels
If you keep seeing Reels in your News Feed, you can tweak your Ad Preferences to reduce them:
- Go to Settings & Ads in Facebook.
- Under “Ad Topics”, choose “Hide Ad Topics”.
- Select topics like “Reels”, “Short Videos”, “TikTok”, etc.
This tells Facebook you don’t want to see those kinds of ads, which may decrease Reels in your feed.
Give Feedback to Facebook
Keep in mind Facebook is constantly testing and changing strategies. If you want more control over videos versus Reels, provide feedback directly:
- Go to the Settings & Privacy menu.
- Select “Settings”.
- Choose “Give Feedback”.
- Tap “Post Idea” and request better video controls.
If enough people give this feedback, Facebook may make changes. So don’t hesitate to ask for what you want!
Use Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps provide a customized Facebook experience focused on videos. For example:
- Swipe for Facebook – Ad-free Facebook just for videos.
- Friendly for Facebook – Clutter-free Facebook concentrating on media.
These apps provide a different UI tailored for videos including easier access and filtering.
Conclusion
While Facebook is pushing Reels, you aren’t forced to watch them. Focus on the Videos tab, follow Pages and join Groups that share content you like, save videos for later, use Watch, Gaming, Portal and other platforms, tweak your Ad Preferences, give Facebook feedback on what you want, and try third-party video apps. With a mix of these tactics, you can still enjoy longer videos on Facebook without the barrage of Reels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently hide Reels on Facebook?
There is no setting to permanently disable Reels across Facebook. However, you can use the methods in this article to greatly reduce how often you see them in your feed and focus on longer videos instead.
Why is Facebook showing so many Reels all of a sudden?
Facebook introduced Reels to compete with the popularity of TikTok and short-form video sharing. As it rolls out, Facebook is heavily promoting Reels across the app to encourage adoption. Over time, it may become less aggressive.
What are some examples of Facebook Pages that share longer videos?
Some great Pages to follow for full length videos include media companies like Buzzfeed Video, sports teams like the NBA, food brands like Tasty, educational sources like TED, and more. Find Pages related to your interests that frequently share videos.
If I save a video, where can I find it later?
Saved videos are kept in the Saved section of your profile. On mobile, tap the Menu tab then choose Saved. On desktop, click your profile picture then Saved Videos. This lets you access and watch saved videos conveniently.
Can I download longer videos on Facebook to watch offline?
Generally, you are not able to download videos directly from Facebook. However, there are third-party tools and browser extensions that allow you to download Facebook videos for offline viewing. Do research to find one that works for you.