Meta Trials: Episodic Reels Series for Instagram and Facebook

Meta has announced it is rolling out a new “Series” feature for Reels, designed to enhance how users engage with serialized content on Instagram and Facebook, according to TechCrunch.

Certain creators can now create series using both new and existing Reels. Each Reel acts as an episode in a broader narrative, organized in a special section of their profile, akin to a similar feature available on TikTok.

The launch of this feature indicates that Meta is shifting its focus toward longer viewing experiences, moving away from the fast-paced scrolling typical of short videos. By categorizing content into series, the platform aims to promote repeat audience engagement and foster more robust viewing habits. For creators, this new function presents a structured approach to releasing episodic content like tutorials and challenges.

TechCrunch learned from Meta that the company is considering monetization options for this new feature, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Interestingly, TikTok introduced its own Series feature in 2023, allowing creators to provide collections of premium content behind a paywall that viewers can purchase access to. Meta might follow a similar path with its series feature in the future.

According to Meta, serialized content is gaining traction among users, leading to the development of this test feature to streamline the process of accessing each episode. For example, a creator featuring a “10 days of healthier baking” series could compile all ten videos into one series, accessible via a new tab on the creator’s profile, offering a dedicated page where users can find all episodes, watch them in order, and pick up where they left off.

When users encounter episodes of a series while browsing their feed or the Reels tab, they will have the option to explore the full series to access additional episodes. Users can also save a series for later viewing or opt to receive updates.

During this testing phase, Meta is working with select creators and content producers who have previously shared serialized content on Instagram and Facebook.