Facebook Adds “Friend Bubbles” and Topic Search to Reels

Facebook is rolling out a set of updates aimed at enhancing engagement with Reels by surfacing content friends have liked, introducing topic-based search prompts, and revamping the recommendation algorithm to push fresher videos. The changes reflect Meta’s ongoing push to strengthen video consumption across its platforms.

A key feature is the arrival of “friend bubbles” on both Reels and feed posts. These bubbles show which content your friends have liked, providing a social cue for what might be worth watching next. Tapping a friend bubble can open a private chat – making it easier to share and discuss posts in context. Another change: Facebook is adding AI-powered topic suggestions beneath Reels. These prompts suggest keywords or topics related to what you’re watching – allowing you to dive deeper into themes or content without leaving the video player.

Beyond new features, Facebook is adjusting how it ranks Reels. Its upgraded recommendation engine now surfaces 50% more Reels published the same day in users’ feeds, aiming to prioritize newer content over older posts. In parallel, Facebook is giving users more control over the content they see. Users can now flag Reels as “Not Interested” or report comments, which informs future recommendations. The Save feature has also been upgraded.

For many, this isn’t a surprise – Facebook is continuing its “TikTokification”, borrowing features from the titular platform to make Reels more appealing to the average user while also improving their overall functionality.