How to Increase Views and Engagement on Facebook Videos

Published on 12.06.2026 by Chizoba T

Creating a good Facebook video takes a lot of time and effort. From brainstorming ideas, creating the videos, and the actual shooting, editing, and platform optimization, there is a lot involved in making outstanding videos. This also means you need to ensure they are delivering the desired results, as you don't waste your time and effort.

With Facebook prioritizing highly engaging content, you need to put in place the right strategies for taking your brand to the next level. In this article, we guide you on increasing your Facebook video views and engagement as part of your Facebook video marketing strategies.

Tips to Increase Views and Engagement on Facebook Videos

To grow your Facebook views and engagement, use the following tips:

Create Videos in Square Formats

According to a Buffer study, vertical Facebook videos perform better than landscape videos in terms of reach, views, and engagement, especially on mobile devices. This can be attributed to several reasons, such as:

  • Over 92% of Facebook users access the platform on their mobile devices.
  • Video consumption has increased, with over 90% of those views occurring on mobile devices.

With many Facebook users watching content on mobile, it can be a good idea to use a square format to improve your videos' performance.

Start With a Hook

When people come across your Facebook video, you have three seconds to captivate them and convince them to watch the whole video. This is especially true because Facebook videos autoplay, making them perfect for Facebook video ads. You need to ensure the first few seconds are outstanding to captivate your target audience. 

Here are tips to do that more effectively:

  • Use an outstanding thumbnail. The thumbnail plays an important role in capturing the user's attention and making them stop scrolling.
  • Provide value in the beginning. Don't waste time adding fluff. Instead, provide value to the target audience instantly, and ensure that the first frame piques the user’s interest.

Keep Your Video Short

According to Facebook, any video that is longer than 90 seconds sees a drop in engagement, so it's a good idea to keep your videos under 60 seconds. However, if you are creating entertainment content such as live streams or series, you can make them up to 15 minutes long. When creating brand awareness videos aimed at impressing your audience, keep them between 15 and 90 seconds.

Focus On One Key Point

If you want your videos to be shareable, focus on a single, easy-to-understand point. When you create an easy-to-understand video, you increase the likelihood that viewers will share it. Remember that there are several reasons why people share a video:

  • To express their strong agreement with the topic.
  • To define their identity.
  • Offer value.

That means you should focus on creating videos that address one or more of the above needs.

Use a Cover Video Instead of an Image

Many Facebook business pages usually feature a cover photo. However, you can add a cover video that serves as an in-video banner, showcasing your brand signature, or promoting an upcoming event or sale. When putting a video cover, take note of the following:

  • Use the right size of video. Facebook uses an 820-by-312-pixel resolution on desktop and a 640-by-360-pixel resolution on mobile.
  • Add an appealing cover video with more visuals and fewer words.
  • Add your brand logo and CTA in the video.

Add Subtitles and Captions to Videos

Statistics indicate that 85% of Facebook users play video without sound. That's understandable because Facebook videos often autoplay without sound. A good way to prevent losing audiences who play with the sound off is by adding subtitles and captions. Facebook makes it easier to do that by uploading the SRP file of the caption along the side. You can also add some text overlays using online editing videos. These steps can make your video more interesting and easier to understand.

Tailor the Video to the Facebook Platform

If you want to cross-post your Facebook videos, each video should be tailored to the specific needs of each platform, as what works on one platform isn't necessarily what will work on the other. 

Here are ways to tailor your videos to the Facebook platform:

  • Upload directly. Instead of sharing the link to your YouTube video on Facebook. Download the video and upload it directly to Facebook. This will enable autoplay, boosting your engagement.
  • Create a custom thumbnail. Use an eye-catching thumbnail that is tailored for the Facebook feed.
  • Add title tag and caption. You can improve your discoverability by using the Video Options on Facebook.

Try Different Types of Video Content

Facebook offers options to upload different types of content, and therefore, you should take advantage of them all. These include:

  • Live videos. These are best suited for informative videos, behind-the-scenes content, and UGC. You can experiment with these video formats to determine which is most popular with your target audience. Make sure the videos are catchy and interesting, and edit them accordingly to determine the best-performing ones.

Add a Call to Action

A great way to increase the reach and engagement of your videos is through a call to action (CTA) button. Choosing the right one will help you increase the number of shares, likes, and views on your video. Additionally,  a CTA can turn viewers into customers, making it a great tool for social media lead generation.

While the option to add a CTA to your Facebook video is no longer available, there are other ways you can do it. You can ask your audience to click on the link before redirecting them to a blog page or website. You can also use the comment section to ask your audience to share their views. Finally, you can ask your audience a question, which will also help to make your content more interactive and inclusive.

In Conclusion

Facebook videos are a great way to drive brand awareness and conversions. However, with the Facebook algorithm constantly changing, your video strategy also needs to keep evolving. Use the above tips to create videos that captivate your audience.