Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Reels have become a major part of Meta’s social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook in recent years. Short-form video content has become increasingly popular globally, including in India. But now, it seems that Meta wants to go one step further. The company is now reportedly testing a new Series feature that will allow you to bundle Reels together as different episodes of a single series.
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According to a report from TechCrunch, Meta will be testing the Series feature with select creators. The purpose of this feature, the report states, is to transform Instagram and Facebook. The company wants viewers to go beyond quick scrolls and delve into repeat viewing of linked views – like a series.
Do note that the short-form content platform TikTok has had a similar feature since 2023.
How will Series feature work on Instagram and Facebook?
Meta wants to make it easier for users to find related videos of a creator. A creator will be able to create a Series with different Reels that will appear on their profile in a dedicated series page.
For instance, if a creator is doing a ’10 days of healthier baking’ series, all 10 videos can be bundled into one set. As per the report, you will be able to add older uploads in a series, along with new Reels.
That is, instead of having to browse through one’s profile and uploads, you can find similar videos in the Series section. If you discover a Reel that is part of a Series on your feed, you will also get the option to view the entire series from the Reel itself.
Meta is said to be testing the feature with select creators who already share episodic content on Instagram or Facebook.
Last month, Instagram vice-president of product Tessa Lyons said at the Scaleable Summit that the platform wanted to become “a unique part of creators” long-form strategy in addition to their short-form strategy. The company also launched an Instagram for TV app late last year.
Meta may monetise Series on Instagram and Facebook
Meta has reportedly confirmed that it is considering ways to monetise this new feature. Though the company has not given any details just yet.
To give you some context, TikTok’s Series feature allows creators to upload premium content that users need to pay to access. Meta may adopt something similar here. The company has also seen traction when it comes to serialised content, even without a dedicated section on the creator’s profile. However, the new feature will likely make it easier for viewers to not miss an episode.
The new Series feature may also encourage mini-dramas on Meta’s platforms, something that has become quite popular on TikTok. As per a report from Business Insider, mini-dramas generated around $1.3 billion in the US last year alone, largely through direct viewer payments.
The test is also not Meta’s first attempt at this kind of format. Instagram launched Guides in 2020 to support topical collections curated by creators, and in 2019 it introduced a Series option for IGTV that grouped videos into dedicated collections.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
