Facebook Live videos will now appear higher in your News Feed

You can't escape.
By  on 
Facebook Live videos will now appear higher in your News Feed
Credit: Facebook

Shortly after rolling out its Live video streaming feature globally, Facebook is altering its News Feed algorithm to make sure live videos appear higher in the stream. 

The company said so in a blog post Tuesday, saying the adjustment will be done to account for the increasing popularity of live videos. 

According to Facebook, people spend three times longer watching videos when they're live compared to videos that are no longer live. 

"Now that more and more people are watching Live videos, we are considering Live Videos as a new content type – different from normal videos – and learning how to rank them for people in News Feed. As a first step, we are making a small update to News Feed so that Facebook Live videos are more likely to appear higher in News Feed when those videos are actually live, compared to after they are no longer live," the post says.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Facebook claims that Pages won't see significant changes after this update. 

A Facebook Live video is simply a streaming video, similar to the feature offered by other live-streaming services like Meerkat and Periscope, with viewers able to react to them and offer comments. 

The feature was originally launched on iOS in August 2015 for a small number of verified accounts and celebrities in the U.S. Facebook had rolled it out for everyone mid-February and added Android support last week. 

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.


Recommended For You
Meta is deleting old Facebook Live videos—unless you act fast
Facebook logos are displayed on mobile phone screens in Ankara, Turkiye on January 25, 2025.

Spotify users are seeing porn videos in search results
Spotify listener

Bluesky now displays replies by 'hotness'
Blueksy logo on a smartphone and appearing in the background.

7 wild Sora videos blowing up social media after its launch
openai logo in front of screen showing sora webpage


More in Tech
Slurpees are free today — here’s how to get yours on Feb. 21
An illustration of Two, 7-Eleven Slurpees

Five Below is running a free Pokémon trading card event — how to score a free Pikachu promo card
A competitor holds a deck

Tons of camping gear is up to 50% off ahead of spring and summer weather
a camping mattress, lantern, tent, inflatable boat, and water bottle all displayed on a blue background with white streaks

The best Walmart Presidents' Day deals live now
Walmart logo on gradient background


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 23, 2025
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

How to watch Pakistan vs. India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy online for free
Virat Kohli of India

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 23, 2025
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 23
A game being played on a smartphone.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 23, 2025
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.