✨ We've just launched our NEW website design!

Learn More Here
News

Facebook Bringing Sound to Autoplay Videos

Facebook Bringing Sound to Autoplay Videos

Facebook is testing playing sound on its autoplay videos. While autoplay videos have been a fixture on Facebook for some time, the sound has been muted until the user decided to click on the video. Facebook mobile app users in Australia, though, have noticed that autoplay videos now have sound on by default, assuming their smartphone is not muted.

“We’re running a small test in News Feed where people can choose whether they want to watch videos with sound on from the start,” a Facebook spokesperson told Mashable Australia. “For people in this test who do not want sound to play, they can switch it off in Settings or directly on the video itself.”

“This is one of several tests we’re running as we work to improve the video experience for people on Facebook,” the spokesperson added.

The new strategy is being tested on “a small percentage of people on mobile in Australia,” Facebook told Business Insider, and has been in effect since 23rd August.

The move seems strange in light of Facebook’s own research into user reaction to autoplay videos with sound. In a Facebook Business article, the company’s research revealed the following:

“In mobile-feed environments, people prefer having the choice to opt in to sound. Our research found that when feed-based mobile video ads play loudly when people aren’t expecting it, 80% react negatively, both toward the platform and the advertiser. Advertisers should take this into account when creating video ads, making sure their stories don’t require sound to communicate their message.”

Facebook has given no indication whether it intends to roll out its autoplay video with sound trial to other countries.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker!   eTeknix prides itself on supplying the most accurate and informative PC and tech related news and reviews and this is made possible by advertisements but be rest assured that we will never serve pop ups, self playing audio ads or any form of ad that tracks your information as your data security is as important to us as it is to you.   If you want to help support us further you can over on our Patreon!   Thank you for visiting eTeknix