Meta is making significant updates to Reels on Facebook, aiming to make the platform more competitive with short-form video apps like TikTok. The company has upgraded Reels’ recommendation engine to better understand user interests faster, delivering newer and more relevant content more quickly. This shift is part of a broader effort by Meta to revitalize Facebook, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing in January that he’s “excited this year to get back to some OG Facebook,” highlighting a renewed focus on the platform’s core social features. One key change is that Facebook now surfaces 50% more Reels from creators who posted the same day as the viewer, helping users discover fresher content. To strengthen the social aspect of video discovery, Meta has introduced “friend bubbles”—small icons in the bottom left corner of a Reel that appear when a friend has liked it. Tapping the bubble allows users to open a private chat with that friend, making it easier to discuss the video in real time. Meta emphasizes that this feature builds on Facebook’s foundational strength: connecting people through shared experiences. “Seeing likes from your friends has always been core to the Facebook experience, and we are continuing to build features – like bubbles – that bring us back to our roots,” the company said. These improvements are already showing results. Meta reported that its enhanced ranking systems have increased time spent on video content on Facebook by over 20% year-over-year. In June, the company also announced it would make all videos on Facebook Reels, removing previous length restrictions to give creators more flexibility and encourage more engaging content. Together, these changes reflect Meta’s strategy to reposition Facebook as a vibrant hub for short-form video, blending algorithmic discovery with personal connections to compete in a crowded digital landscape.