Facebook recently announced that it has over 2 billion daily active users. Today, the company has announced that it is leveraging AI to enhance user experience and create opportunities for creators. Recently, Meta introduced new ‘Creative Expression’ tools, meaning Facebook users can now create 90-second reels.
Messaging
Facebook is making it easier for people to share what they discover on the platform through messaging without switching to another app, using AI to enhance private conversations.
Over 140 billion messages are sent across Facebook’s apps daily, with people resharing Reels nearly 1 billion times daily through DMs on Instagram and growing strongly on Facebook.
The company is testing the ability for people to access their Messenger inbox within the Facebook app and plans to expand this testing. It has also introduced community chats to some Facebook Groups for people to connect more deeply in real-time around topics they care about, with a 50% increase in people trying community chats across Facebook and Messenger in December 2022.
Over the next year, Facebook will build more ways to integrate messaging features in the platform, making it easier for people to connect and share.
Meta investing in AI-Powered Discovery
To meet new needs, Facebook said that it is investing in AI-powered discovery. Facebook wants to provide tools for people to express themselves through text, photos, or videos, and make it easy for them to share with their preferred audience, whether it’s friends, groups, or the public.
It believes their user-friendly formats, audience accessibility, and AI capabilities make it the ideal platform for social discovery and sharing.
Reels and Groups
Facebook reports that there are over 140 billion daily Reels plays on Facebook and Instagram. To suggest various content types, including photos, text, groups, short- and long-form videos, they are employing AI.
AI-powered recommendations are modified based on user input through tools such as Show More or Show Less. They have also implemented safeguards to prevent recommendations from being harmful or violating community standards.
Facebook now employs AI to suggest public Group content based on user interests, eliminating the need for searching or relying on word of mouth to find a Group.
Previously, users could be invited to a Group by a friend, search for a Group based on a specific need or interest, or receive suggestions for groups to join. With this new feature, highly relevant public Group content will be displayed in users’ Feed.
Creators and Monetization
To facilitate finding creators, Facebook has introduced features such as a rising creator label for popular creators, a suggestion unit in the Feed recommending creators to follow, and a consistent Follow action to make it easier to follow discovered creators.
Facebook has made significant investments in developing tools for creators, simplifying the platform for them, and offering various creative expression formats. They provide tools to grow and manage fan communities, expand monetization options, and enhance ways to earn income as a creator on Facebook.
This year, the focus is on adapting and improving these tools for short-form video. Additionally, Facebook plans to expand its ads on Reels tests to enable more creators to earn ad revenue and grow virtual gifting via Stars on Reels, citing examples of Parker Pannell and Edith Galvez.
Meta announced that it prioritizes people in the adoption of new technology trends, and it takes pride in doing so. Through its investments in AI, Meta aims to unlock novel methods for individuals to discover exceptional content on Facebook and distribute it with their loved ones.
People use @facebook to connect with friends and family, but also to discover something new — like a rising fashion creator 👗or a group for stargazers 💫 @tomalison, head of Facebook, shares what he’s focusing on this year: AI and creators.https://t.co/zveHW1SkdR pic.twitter.com/nQuWcAq5AC
— Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) March 7, 2023
Speaking on the announcement, Tom Alison, Head of Facebook, said,
As our world class Meta AI research teams continue to make advancements in AI, particularly generative AI, Facebook — and Meta more broadly — will look to bring this transformative technology to billions of people and allow them to create and share in new ways.