What Facebook Reels are and why you might use them

Facebook Reels are short videos — usually 15 seconds to 90 seconds long — that you can post to your profile, a group, or your Page. They work the same way as Reels on Instagram: you film or upload a clip, add music or sound, trim it, and share it. Facebook shows Reels to people who follow you and, depending on your privacy settings, to a wider audience.

Reels are useful if you want to share something quick and visual without writing a caption, or if you want to reach people beyond your friends list. Because Facebook's algorithm tends to show Reels widely, they can get more views than a regular photo or status post. But that wider reach also means less control over who sees your content — something to think about before you post.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a Reel by tapping the camera icon in Facebook's composer, selecting Reel, filming or uploading a video, and adding music or effects before posting.
  • Your Reel's audience depends on your privacy settings: if your profile is public, Facebook may show it to non-friends; if it is private, only your friends see it.
  • You can control who comments on your Reel and whether it appears in your profile grid by adjusting settings before you post.
  • Once posted, you can edit captions, turn comments off, or delete the Reel entirely, but you cannot change the video file itself.

How to film or upload a video for your Reel

Open Facebook on your phone (Reels work on mobile only, not desktop). Tap the camera icon at the top left of your News Feed, or go to your profile and tap the "+" icon. Choose Reel from the menu.

You now have two options: film a new video or upload one you already have. To film, tap the red record button and hold it down. You can record multiple clips in one Reel by tapping and releasing the button each time. To upload an existing video, tap the gallery icon (usually a square with a mountain) and select a video from your phone. Facebook accepts videos up to 90 seconds; if your video is longer, trim it before uploading or trim it in the Reel editor.

Once you have your video, you can adjust the speed (slow it down or speed it up), flip the camera, or add a filter right away. These changes are optional — you can skip them and add effects later.

Adding music, text, and effects to your Reel

After you film or upload, Facebook shows you the editing screen. Tap Music to add a song. You can search by song title, artist, or mood. Facebook's music library is large, but not every song is available — if you cannot find what you want, you can use the audio from your original video instead. Once you pick a song, you can trim it to start and end where you want.

Tap Text to add words on top of your video. You can change the font, color, and how long the text stays on screen. Tap Effects to add filters, stickers, or animations. These are optional; a Reel with no music, text, or effects is fine to post.

As you edit, you see a preview of what your Reel will look like. Take a moment to watch it through before moving to the next step.

Setting who can see and comment on your Reel

Before you post, tap the privacy icon (usually a lock or globe symbol) to choose who sees your Reel. If your Facebook profile is public, your Reel will be public by default — anyone on Facebook can see it, even people who do not follow you. If your profile is private, only your friends see it. You can override these defaults: for example, you can make a single Reel public even if your profile is private, or vice versa.

Below the privacy setting, you will see an option to turn comments on or off. If you turn comments off, people can still see your Reel but cannot write replies. This is useful if you want to share something without inviting feedback.

You can also choose whether the Reel appears in your profile grid (the square thumbnails people see when they visit your profile) or only in your News Feed and in search results. If you uncheck "Show on my profile," the Reel is still public or private depending on your privacy setting, but it does not clutter your profile page.

Posting your Reel and what happens next

Once you have set the privacy, comments, and profile visibility, tap Share or Post. Facebook uploads your Reel and it appears in your News Feed and on your profile (if you chose to show it there). If your Reel is public, Facebook may show it to people who do not follow you, especially if it gets likes or comments quickly.

After you post, you can see how many views, likes, and comments your Reel has received. Tap the three dots on your Reel to edit the caption, turn comments off (even after posting), or delete the Reel entirely. You cannot change the video itself or the music once it is posted — if you need to make those changes, you have to delete and repost.

Understanding the difference between Reels and other Facebook posts

A regular photo or status post goes to your friends (or your audience, if your profile is public). Facebook shows it in their News Feed and that is mostly it. A Reel, by contrast, goes into Facebook's Reels feed — a separate section where people browse short videos the way they browse TikTok or Instagram Reels. This means your Reel can reach people who do not follow you at all.

This wider reach is why Reels often get more views than a photo. But it also means less control. If you post something personal or sensitive, a Reel makes it more likely to be seen by strangers. A regular post to your friends list is more private by default. Think about what you are sharing and choose the format that matches your comfort level.

Privacy and safety considerations before you post

Before you hit post, ask yourself: would I be okay with this video being seen by people I do not know? If the answer is no, either make your Reel private (visible to friends only) or post it as a regular video instead. Remember that even private Reels can be screenshotted or shared by your friends, so do not post anything you would not want circulating.

If your Reel includes other people, consider whether they know they are being filmed and whether they would be comfortable with it being public. If you film someone without their knowledge or consent, that is a respect issue — and in some places, a legal one.

Check your background too. If you film in your home, make sure you are not accidentally showing your address, personal documents, or anything else you would rather keep private. Reels are often watched with sound off, so people may not catch context clues that would make something seem harmless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I post a Reel from my desktop computer?

No. Facebook Reels are only available on the mobile app. You can view Reels on desktop, but you cannot create or upload them from a computer. If you want to post a Reel, you need to use your phone.

What happens if I delete a Reel after I post it?

The Reel disappears from your profile, your News Feed, and the Reels feed. People who saw it before deletion may still remember it, but they cannot watch it again through Facebook. If someone shared it or screenshotted it, those copies exist outside Facebook and you cannot remove them.

Can I edit my Reel after I post it?

You can edit the caption and turn comments on or off after posting. You cannot change the video, music, text, or effects — if you need to make those changes, delete the Reel and post a new one.

Will my friends see my Reel if my profile is private?

Yes. If your profile is private, your Reels are visible only to your friends by default. They appear in their News Feed and in the Reels feed, but only they can see them. Non-friends cannot find or watch your Reels.

Can someone use my Reel without permission?

Facebook allows people to share Reels, which means they can send your video to others or repost it to their own profile. You cannot prevent sharing, but you can turn comments off to discourage engagement, or delete the Reel if you change your mind about posting it.