Back in March 2017, Facebook introduced something called Facebook Stories. It started out just on our phones but now you can check it out on your computer too.

So, what’s the deal with Facebook Stories? They’re pretty much like what you see on Instagram or Snapchat. You can post short updates and they vanish after 24 hours. Even though Facebook Stories kicked off a lot like Snapchat’s, Facebook’s really trying to make theirs stand out. Seeing how Instagram Stories took off, it wouldn’t be a shock if Facebook Stories picked up steam soon too.

Here’s everything you need to know about this feature on Facebook.

Exploring Facebook Stories

Facebook Stories are all about sharing the moment with photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. You can jazz them up with text, drawings, stickers and different filters. Unlike Instagram where you swipe left or right to change filters, on Facebook, you swipe up and down. After creating your masterpiece, you can share it with everyone, just a few friends or send it directly to someone as a private message.

Connor Hayes, the product manager for Facebook Stories, says that our shift from text to more visual content like photos and videos is reshaping how we connect and share online.

Think of Facebook Stories as a visual feed where text posts take a backseat to images and videos. On the desktop, you’ll find Stories in the top right corner of your Facebook feed. On mobile, they’re right at the top of the app. Just tap a friend’s story circle to watch their story and you can even reply directly via messages.

Linking your Facebook and Instagram accounts is a handy tip. It lets you post stories to both platforms simultaneously, saving you the hassle of posting them separately.

If you’re managing a brand or company page, you can track how well your Facebook Stories are doing. Just navigate to your Page, then go to Insights > Stories. Here, you’ll find metrics like:

• Published: When your story went live.
• Story Items: Thumbnails for quick reference.
• Status: Whether your story is still active or has ended.
• Unique Story Opens: The count of unique viewers.
• Forward Taps: How often viewers skipped to the next story.
• Backward Taps: How often viewers went back to a previous story.
• Forward Swipes: The swipes to skip to another account’s story.
• Exits: How many times someone left Stories to go back to their newsfeed.

Remember to check these insights regularly, as they’re only available for 14 days after your story goes live!

The Facebook Story Formats

Just like Instagram, Facebook Stories come in a few cool formats. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Normal Post: Want to snap a quick photo for your story? Just tap the white circle at the bottom of your screen. If you’re aiming to capture a video instead, press and hold that same circle and keep holding it as long as you want to record.
• Video Post: For videos, there’s an even easier way. No need to keep holding down the button—you can tap once to start recording and tap again to stop. Your video can be up to 20 seconds long.
• Boomerang: Feeling a bit more playful? The Boomerang option lets you create a fun, looping animation. It’s perfect for capturing quick, dynamic moments.
• Live Video: Go live and get real-time interaction. When you start a live video, your followers get notified so they can tune in and join the action.

Plus, you’re not limited to just capturing new stuff. You can also upload photos or videos from your device. This is super handy if you want to share something you’ve edited or just have better-quality media that you took earlier.

So, whether you’re posting on the fly or planning something more polished, Facebook Stories has got you covered.

Why Facebook Stories Are Pushing for More Original Content

Facebook rolled out Stories to nudge us towards sharing more personal content again. It seems like these days, most of us just reshare news articles or other links. Remember when we used to post our own photos and videos? That’s what Facebook is trying to get us back to doing with Stories.

It’s all about visual, spontaneous content now, which is really taking off on social platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. Almost everyone’s got a camera in their pocket, making it super easy to share those quick moments. Plus, unlike regular posts that might get buried in your news feed, Stories sit right at the top of the app—hard to miss and easy for your friends or followers to see.

The Lowdown on Facebook Stories Ads

Now, let’s talk about ads. Facebook Stories has become a hot new spot for marketing since they’ve hit 150 million active users daily. This setup lets advertisers easily cross-post from Instagram Stories or tweak existing ads to fit the Stories format.

As Snapchat sees a dip in its user numbers, Facebook Stories has a clear shot at growing, maybe even matching Instagram Stories’ reach. The introduction of Stories ads could be a game-changer, especially since the feed is getting a bit crowded.

Since Facebook Stories is still somewhat new, not many brands are diving into this ad space yet. This means less competition and lower costs per thousand impressions (CPMs). It’s a chance for your brand to really stand out. Remember, these ads take up the whole screen so creativity here can make a big impact.

Though Facebook Stories currently has fewer daily users than Instagram Stories—150 million compared to 300 million—it’s just the start. This platform has huge potential to grow, offering a fresh avenue for reaching people in a more personal and direct way.

Closing Thoughts 

It’s pretty clear that the Stories feature on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat is shaping up to be the next big thing. As the usual spots in our newsfeeds get more crowded and the fight for ad space gets tougher, Stories are becoming a go-to for brands looking to catch our eye.

From an organic perspective, Stories offer brands a fresh way to reach us without having to rely on the whims of Facebook’s algorithm. It’s like a direct line to their audience, bypassing the clutter of the regular feed. On the ad side, Stories present a less crowded space where brands can get creative with their promotions, making them super attractive for marketers. This new kind of ad space is a goldmine for digital marketing agencies aiming to boost brand visibility.

Given how Instagram Stories have exploded in popularity, it’s only a matter of time before Facebook Stories catch up. With their potential for high visibility and engagement, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them become a mainstay in social media marketing strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Facebook Stories?

Facebook Stories are these cool, temporary updates that sit at the top of your feed. You can pop up photos or videos that stay visible for just 24 hours. Feel free to throw in some fun stuff like stickers, text or filters to make them stand out.

2. How do I post a Facebook Story?

To add your own Story, just hit the white circle at the bottom (or top right on desktop) of the Stories section. Tap it once for a photo or hold it down for a video. Done recording? Just let go. You can also pick something from your phone’s gallery to share.

3. Can I control who sees my Facebook Stories?

Absolutely! When you’re putting up a Story, you can choose to share it with everyone, just a bunch of selected friends or even just send it directly to one person as a DM.

4. What is the difference between posting a normal post and a Facebook Story?

Normal posts hang out on your timeline forever unless you delete them and they show up in your friends’ feeds based on your privacy settings. Stories, though, they’re like shooting stars—there for a quick 24 hours and then they vanish. Plus, they don’t clutter up your timeline.

5. What are some unique features of Facebook Stories?

Facebook Stories have some neat tricks like Boomerang, where you can make a mini looping video or you can go live and stream what you’re doing in real-time. Plus, if you’re into filters, swipe up and down to switch them up—different from how you do it on Instagram.

6. How can brands use Facebook Stories effectively?

For brands, Stories are a prime spot to drop eye-catching content that sticks around at the top of the feed for a day. It’s a sweet spot for promos or events that are happening soon. They can also run ads in Stories, which lets them reach more folks without getting lost in the usual feed mess.

7. Are Facebook Stories effective for marketing?

Yes, they’re actually pretty awesome for marketing. They pop up right at the top of the feed, catch people’s eyes with their full-screen view and because they’re temporary, people might watch them before they disappear. It’s a great way to get creative and grab attention.