MENUMENU
  • Services
    • Services
      • Search Engine Optimization
      • International Search Marketing
      • Local Search Marketing
      • Pay Per Click Advertising
      • Social Media Marketing
      • Email Marketing
      • Conversion Rate Optimization
      • Public Relations
      • Website Design & Development
      • Reporting & Analytics
      • Amazon Marketing Services
      • Digital Marketing Strategy
      • Franchise Marketing
  • Case Studies
  • About Us
    • About Ignite Visibility
      • Our Story
      • Clients
      • Our Values
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Our Team
      • UCSD Extension Courses
      • Careers
  • Thought Leadership
      • Our Blog
      • Podcast
      • SEO: The Movie
      • Social Media Marketing: The Movie
      • Book: The Forecaster Method
      • Attend Our Next Digital Marketing Event
  • Contact
  • 619.752.1955
Home / Facebook / Facebook Could Save You Time (And Data) With Instant Video

Facebook Could Save You Time (And Data) With Instant Video

September 12, 2017 By John E Lincoln

The wait time may be over – for Facebook videos, that is.

The social media giant is testing Instant Videos, and we’ve gathered all the information you need below.

Facebook Tests New Instant Video

Following the release of its new Watch tab, which provides users with original video content, Facebook is now turning to Instant Videos.

Rather than taking up precious bandwidth, the new feature downloads and caches videos right to users’ phones.

The service works while connected to wifi, allowing the video to be seen later. A lightning bolt icon will signal a pre-loaded video.

The news was first reported by The Next Web’s Matt Navarra and later confirmed by TechCrunch.

Facebook Instant Video News

Matt Navarra first reported the news

Facebook’s Instant History

The new feature is similar to Instant Articles, Facebook’s hosted content format that loads much faster than mobile websites and saves users valuable time waiting for a separate web app to load.

TechCrunch points out that while Instant Articles “has mostly focused on the speed and convenience of reading news on Facebook, Instant Video focuses on cost and accessibility.”

It will be especially relevant in countries where not everyone has access to data plans, or plans are very slow or expensive.

Facebook’s Video Evolution

Facebook has focused heavily on video over the past few years, with its recent announcement of up to $1 billion dollar budget for original content and debut of the Watch tab.

The site’s video use has come a long way, from its first live streaming efforts to rival Periscope and Meerkat (remember them?) to its foray into original content and programming.

And it’s a good thing. In order to stay relevant in today’s marketing landscape, social sites and marketers must find ways to incorporate video.

Reportedly, online videos will account for more than 80% of all consumer internet traffic by 2020, and over 8 billion videos or 100 million hours of video are watched on Facebook every day. (Buffer)

Not only that, but 51% of all plays are mobile, an increase of 15% from a year ago and 203% from 2014 (Ooyala 2016), making Facebook’s Instant Video format even more relevant.

Effects of Instant Videos

While still in its beginning phases and only available to a small percentage of Android users, Facebook confirmed to TechCrunch that the goal is to “remove data costs as a barrier to watching its videos.”

It will likely benefit the new Watch tab, allowing users to watch videos while commuting or simply in a wifi-free zone.

But its effects could be more far-reaching than that.

More videos could present more opportunities for advertisers and would allow brands more freedom to advertise in the video format.

Eventually, Instant Videos could include short ad breaks (much like the ad breaks video creators are already allowed to insert into their videos).

Not only would this be beneficial to brands and advertisers, but Facebook itself would benefit from the additional ad revenue.

It remains to be seen when – or if – a broader rollout of Instant Video will occur. For now, it’s still limited to the select few.  

About John E Lincoln

John Lincoln (MBA) is CEO of Ignite Visibility (a 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Inc. 5000 company) a highly sought-after digital marketing strategist, industry speaker and author of two books, "The Forecaster Method" and "Digital Influencer." Over the course of his career, Lincoln has worked with over 1,000 online businesses ranging from small startups to amazing clients such as Office Depot, Tony Robbins, Morgan Stanley, Fox, USA Today, COX and The Knot World Wide. John Lincoln is the editor of the Ignite Visibility blog. While he is a contributor, he does not write all of the articles and in many cases he is supported to ensure timely content.

You may also like:


  • Breaking Digital Marketing News (Updated Every Friday)
  • Facebook video ads guide
    Facebook Video Ads Best Practices for Exceptional Results

  • Christine Hsu Evans, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Headspace…

  • Clutch Highlights Ignite Visibility As a Top SEO Company for…

Search Here

NEWSLETTER // SIGN UP NOW

About The Editor

John E Lincoln, CEO

John Lincoln is CEO of Ignite Visibility, one of the top digital marketing agencies in the nation and a 6x Inc. 5,000 company. Lincoln is consistently named one of the top marketing experts in the industry. He has been recipient of the Search Engine Land "Search Marketer of the Year" award, named the #1 SEO consultant in the USA by Clutch.co, most admired CEO and 40 under 40. Lincoln has written two books (The Forecaster Method and Digital Influencer) and made two movies (SEO: The Movie and Social Media Marketing: The Movie) on digital marketing. He is a digital marketing strategy adviser to some of the biggest names in business. John Lincoln is the editor of the Ignite Visibility blog. While he is a major contributor, he does not write all of the articles.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN

Contact Us. Let’s Chat!

  • Hidden

Marketing Guides

SEO In 2020: How To Prepare For Major Disruption

"SEO: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

"Social Media Marketing: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

Amazon Seller Central vs Vendor Central

Listen To The Podcast Featuring The Best Minds In Marketing

John Lincoln Interviews Global Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy at Qualcomm, Jessica Jensen

Check Out 227 Free Online Marketing Classes

The 2020 Guide To Dominating SEO With Advanced Schema

Learn More About Our Digital Marketing Agency

Learn More About Our SEO Services

Learn More About Our Paid Media Services

SELECT CATEGORY

Become A Contributor

Interested in writing for Ignite Visibility?

APPLY NOW

Services

  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Pay Per Click Management
  • Conversion Rate Optimization
  • Website Design & Development
  • Social Media Company
  • Public Relations
  • Amazon Marketing Services
  • Franchise Marketing
  • International Services
  • Digital Marketing Agency Services

About

  • Our Team
  • Our Values
  • Clients
  • Reviews
  • UCSD Extension Courses
  • Careers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Sitemap

Contact

4250 Executive Square, Suite 100
La Jolla, California 92037

619.752.1955

Join The Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from Ignite Visibility.

google parther logo

©2023 Ignite Visibility. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy