Facebook Tests Video Features: Dedicated Place, Floating Window
Facebook's transformation into a video powerhouse continues at a brisk pace, as the social network announced that it's testing multiple new features.
While Facebook is able to garner strong views by putting videos in members' newsfeeds, those views trail off quickly since the site doesn't have a videos area. To remedy that, Facebook is testing a dedicated page just for videos. Clips that people saved for later or that were recommended by friends will appear here. Only a small number of people will be able to test this out, Facebook says. Access it through a Videos icon at the bottom of the iPhone Facebook app screen or from the Favorites section on left side of the newsfeed from the website. The ability to save videos for later, by the way, is another new feature being tested.
Facebook members can keep a video playing onscreen while doing other things thanks to the floating window capability the company is testing. This floating window even works on the app.
To keep viewers watching longer, Facebook is testing suggested videos. Watch a video in the newsfeed and the site will suggest popular related videos. This is available to most iPhone app users now, and will debut on Android in the coming months. TechCrunch reports that Facebook is running a pilot program where premium video creators can get a share of ad revenue if their clips keep people watching for longer.
The video below, from ReCode editor Peter Kafka's YouTube channel, shows the new features in action.
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