Reels are short, entertaining videos that users can create and share on Facebook. Reels allow people to express themselves creatively and reach new audiences. Since launching on Facebook in 2020, Reels have become hugely popular. But like all content on Facebook, Reels are subject to certain rules and guidelines.
What are Facebook Reels?
Facebook Reels are short videos, typically lasting between 15 seconds and 30 seconds, that are set to music or other audio. Users can record and edit them directly within the Facebook app. Reels can utilize a range of creative tools like audio, effects, filters, and more. Once a user has created a Reel, they can share it to their Facebook feed where their friends and followers can view, like, and comment on it just as they would a regular video post. Reels also get shared to the Reels tab which allows them to be discovered by the wider Facebook community.
Facebook Reels Rules and Guidelines
To help keep the Facebook community safe and promote authentic content, Reels are subject to Facebook’s Community Standards policies. These govern what types of content are and aren’t allowed on Reels as well as on Facebook as a whole. Here are some key rules and guidelines to keep in mind when creating Facebook Reels:
Avoid Nudity and Sexual Content
Facebook does not allow nudity or sexually suggestive content in Reels. Reels containing such content will be removed. Underwear, sheer clothing, sex toys, and stimulating gestures, motions, or poses are all violations of the policy. Close-up images focused on individual body parts are also prohibited.
Follow Copyright Rules
Users must have the legal right to share any content used in their Reels. This includes music, video clips, images, and more. Copyrighted material can only be used if legally obtained and licensed. Unauthorized use of copyrighted content will lead to Reels being removed.
Don’t Promote Harmful Products or Behavior
Content that promotes or depicts activities like drug use, gambling, pharmaceutical misuse, or non-medical/dangerous weight loss are banned from Reels. Additionally, sales or promotions for weapons, ammunition, or explosives violate Facebook’s rules.
Avoid Hate Speech, Bullying, and Harassment
Reels should not include content that attacks, dehumanizes, or excludes individuals or groups based on attributes like their race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or immigration status. Do not bully, intimidate, or harass people through your Reels.
Respect Privacy Rights
Do not share other people’s private images or videos in your Reels without their consent. This includes intimate imagery and media featuring minors. Sharing private facts and details about someone without permission is also prohibited.
Avoid Misinformation and Scams
Content shared in Reels should be accurate, come from a trustworthy source, and should not mislead viewers. Reels promoting scams, like impostor schemes, are not allowed. Neither is content interfering with civic processes like elections.
Don’t Spam or Artificially Increase Distribution
Do not create multiple Reels with repetitive content in order to artificially increase distribution. Avoid adding irrelevant hashtags to Reels just to reach more viewers. This behavior is considered spam and violates Facebook’s rules.
Consequences for Violating Reels Guidelines
If a Reel is found to violate any of Facebook’s rules, a few things can happen:
- The Reel may be removed.
- The account posting the Reel may get a warning or face other restrictions.
- Repeated or more serious violations can lead to suspensions or permanent disabling of accounts.
Facebook uses technology and community reports to detect policy-breaking content. Users can also report concerning Reels directly to Facebook for additional review.
Best Practices for Successful Reels
By following Facebook’s guidelines, creators can feel confident sharing quality Reels. Here are some tips for making great Reels that reach people:
- Be authentic and original – Create Reels showcasing your unique personality and style.
- Engage viewers – Use eye-catching visuals, text overlays, humor, captions, interactive elements, etc.
- Use music creatively – Songs and audio clips can add a fun vibe.
- Consider trends – Timely, trending audio and themes tend to perform well.
- Find a focus – Have a clear subject rather than a random assortment of clips.
- Check quality – Make sure footage is well-lit, in focus, and visually appealing.
- Keep it short – Condense content to fit the 15-30 second sweet spot.
Reels Features
Facebook provides a host of options to take Reels to the next level:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AR Effects | Augmented reality effects that track faces, bodies and more in real time |
| Green Screen | Lets users replace their background with any image or video clip |
| Text Overlay | On-screen text that can enhance captions or commentary |
| Stickers | Visually enrich Reels with illustrations, emoji, and more |
| Timer and Countdown | Tools to record hands-free and pace transitions |
| Speed Control | Adjust playback speed to creatively stylize visuals |
| Audio Controls | Mix and edit sound levels and add voiceovers |
| Alignment Tool | Seamlessly stitch clips together side-by-side or end-to-end |
With this versatile set of creation tools, Reels empower people to produce all kinds of fun, engaging short form videos to share on Facebook.
Reels Analytics
Facebook provides metrics to help Reel creators understand the performance of their content. In the Reels tab of the Facebook app, users can see insights like:
- Reactions and comments
- Total plays
- Accounts reached
- Shares
- Saves
Users can also view more detailed analytics by tapping on a specific Reel. This includes play duration, plays by followers vs. non-followers, traffic sources, demographic data, and more. Monitoring these metrics allows creators to refine their strategy and create content that resonates.
Why Reels Are Effective
When utilized effectively, Reels offer major benefits for Facebook content creators and businesses:
- Engagement – Reels grab attention with dynamic visuals and tend to generate high engagement in the form of reactions, comments, and shares.
- Discovery – The dedicated Reels tab gives content huge potential to be discovered by new audiences who follow relevant audio or hashtag trends.
- Flexibility – Anyone can produce Reels easily right on their phone to showcase their life, business, skills, products, etc.
- Personality – The casual, fun format allows creators to express their unique personal brand and style.
For brands, that ability to flaunt personality and character is key. Rather than overly polished, sterile marketing content, Reels enable more authentic human connections with customers.
Promoting Your Reels
While the Reels tab gives content wider visibility, creators can amplify promotion through other tactics like:
- Sharing Reels to Facebook Stories
- Adding Reels to Facebook ad campaigns
- Including #hashtags in captions to tap into trends
- @Mentioning other relevant accounts
- Using popular audio clips
- Cross-promoting Reels to Instagram
- Running Reels ads to boost distribution
Driving traffic to Reels from other social platforms can also expand reach.
Facebook Reels vs. Instagram Reels
Reels represent short form, vertical videos on both Facebook and Instagram. But there are some key differences between Reels features on each platform:
| Facebook Reels | Instagram Reels | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 15-30 seconds | 15-60 seconds |
| Audio | Facebook licensed music Original recordings |
Instagram licensed music Original recordings |
| Camera Modes | – Rear – Front |
– Rear – Front – Dual |
| Editing | In-app editor | In-app editor + Reels studio app |
| Sharing | Feed, Groups, Stories | Feed, Stories, Direct |
So while Reels follow the same short form, music-centric format on both platforms, the specific capabilities differ. Instagram provides more creation and sharing flexibility. But Facebook enables tapping into active Groups and also groups Reels content into a separate discovery tab.
The Future of Facebook Reels
Reels are still a relatively new format for Facebook, having launched over two years after Instagram Reels. However, Facebook is pushing Reels aggressively as they drive the kind of engaging, interactive content that aligns with their vision for social experiences.
We will likely see Facebook continue to build out Reels features and integrate Reels deeper into advertisements, search, recommendations, and more. This will provide creators ever-increasing ways to connect with new audiences through Reels.
As video consumption explodes, short form vertical video represents the type of content people increasingly seek out. Reels allow casual creators and professional brands alike to feed this demand. The simplicity of tapping into trends, memes, music moments and sharing them via Reels generates viral appeal.
While regulations on privacy, data use, and content moderation affect the entire industry, short form video overall is here to stay. As Facebook drives its metaverse ambitions, Reels provide an accessible entrypoint for users and brands to take part in more interactive, visual social experiences through content creation.
Conclusion
Facebook Reels make it easy for anyone to create fun, engaging short videos set to music or audio and share them across Facebook. To keep the community safe and promote authentic content, Reels must follow Facebook’s policies around nudity, copyright, dangerous behavior, harassment, privacy and more. By sticking to the rules, creators can take full advantage of Reels features like AR effects, text overlays, speed control and analytics to produce quality Reels that resonate with viewers. Maintaining a presence on Reels helps brands connect with users in the popular short form video format.