Facebook Reels: Meta Improves Its Algorithm with More Recent Videos and the ‘Friend Bubbles’
Meta continues to focus on short videos to renew interest in Facebook. The company has announced a new update to its algorithm that will showcase more personalized Facebook Reels based on user preferences, while also integrating new social and search functions.
Facebook Reels: A Smarter Recommendation Engine
Meta states that it has enhanced its recommendation engine so that it “learns your interests faster and shows you more recent and relevant Reels.”
One of the major changes involves content freshness: Facebook will now display 50% more Reels published on the same day. The goal is clear: to feature more timely and dynamic videos, similar to TikTok. Users will also have greater control over the videos suggested to them.
It will now be possible to select “Not Interested” on a Reel, or report inappropriate comments, allowing the algorithm to adjust its suggestions accordingly.
Streamlined Saving and AI-Driven Recommendations
The “Save” feature has also been revamped. Users will be able to easily group their favorite Facebook Reels and posts in one place.
Facebook is also introducing improved AI search capabilities: automatic suggestions will appear below videos, encouraging users to explore more similar content — a TikTok-inspired approach.
‘Friend Bubbles’ to Enhance Interactions
Another notable new feature is ‘Friend Bubbles’, which now appear at the bottom left of a Facebook Reel, allowing users to see which friends liked the video. A simple tap on the bubble opens a private conversation with that friend, facilitating discussions around the content.
“Seeing your friends’ likes has always been part of Facebook’s DNA. With these bubbles, we are returning to that original community experience,” explains Meta in a statement.
Meta Bets Big on Short Videos
These improvements seem to already yield results: according to Meta’s latest financial report, the time spent watching videos on Facebook has increased by over 20% in the past year. In June, Meta announced that all Facebook videos would now be Reels, removing duration limits that previously distinguished formats.
This evolution comes as the company seeks to compete with TikTok and YouTube Shorts while distinguishing itself with tools focused on personalization and friend interactions.
Toward a Cleaner and More Personalized Experience
These updates should also help Meta reduce undesirable content, such as “misleading” Reels, low-quality videos, or those generated by AI.
Meta is heavily investing in artificial intelligence as well, notably with “Vibes,” a new stream of short videos exclusively generated by AI in its Meta AI application.
