How to Increase Facebook Video Views

October 31, 2025

Getting your videos noticed on Facebook can feel like shouting into a void, especially with an algorithm that changes faster than you can shoot a Reel. The good news is that you don’t need a massive budget or a viral miracle to significantly increase your video views. This guide will walk you through practical, effective strategies to capture attention, hold it, and get your content in front of more people.

Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds

The average user’s attention span on social media is notoriously short. Facebook counts a "view" after just three seconds, so your video's opening is your most valuable asset. If you can’t make someone pause their endless scroll in that tiny window, you've already lost them. Forget long, cinematic introductions, get straight to the action.

Actionable Strategies:

Start with Peak Action: Instead of building up to the most exciting moment, show a quick clip of it right at the beginning. A baker could show the final, delicious cupcake before showing the process, or a fitness trainer could show a snippet of the toughest part of the workout.
Ask a Question: Pose a direct question with text on the screen that piques curiosity. For example, "Are you making these 3 common mistakes at the gym?" or "Want to know the secret to a perfect sourdough?"
Use Abrupt Movement: A person jumping into a shot, a fast-paced pan, or a surprising visual transition can stop a scroller in their tracks. The human eye is naturally drawn to motion, so leverage that to your advantage.
Lead with a Bold Statement: A text overlay making a concrete promise or a controversial statement can be incredibly effective. Think "This 5-minute hack will save you an hour a day" or "Hot take: pineapple *does* belong on pizza."

Optimize for the Mobile, Silent Experience

Over 98% of Facebook users access the platform on a mobile device, and a huge majority of them watch videos with the sound off. If your video relies on a voiceover or dialogue to make sense, you're missing out on a massive portion of your potential audience. Your video must be just as compelling with the sound off as it is with the sound on.

Add Captions and On-Screen Text

Captions are no longer optional - they’re essential. You can either upload an .SRT file (SubRip Subtitle files) with your video or allow Facebook to auto-generate them. Always check auto-generated captions for accuracy, as they often contain errors.

Beyond captions for dialogue, use on-screen text to emphasize key points, guide the narrative, and add context. This makes your video "skimmable," allowing viewers to understand its value even without sound.

Tips for Effective On-Screen Text:

Keep text clear, bold, and easy to read on a small screen.
Use brand colors to maintain a consistent look and feel.
Don't fill the screen with words, use short phrases or bullet points.
Animate text subtly to draw attention without being distracting.

Choose the Right Video Format

That beautiful widescreen (16:9) video you shot for YouTube will get lost on Facebook's mobile feed. Vertical formats dominate the screen, pushing out competitors and demanding attention. To maximize your video's impact, you need to edit or shoot with Facebook's mobile-first layout in mind.

Write a Killer Headline and Description

While the video itself does the heavy lifting, the text that accompanies it sets the stage. A great title and description can convince someone to stop, watch, and even share your content.

Crafting a Magnetic Headline

Your video’s headline is its first impression in text form. It should be short, punchy, and benefit-driven. Don't summarize what the video is, tell the viewer why they should watch it.

Example - Weak Headline: My Sourdough Bread Recipe

Example - Strong Headline: Finally, a Sourdough Recipe Anyone Can Make (No Starter Needed!)

Writing a Compelling Description

Use the description to expand on the headline's promise, provide more context, and include a clear call-to-action (CTA). Ask a question to spark engagement in the comments, which can help signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

A Good Video Description Includes:

Context: A few sentences that explain what the viewer will gain or learn.
A Question: Something like, "What’s your biggest struggle with [topic]? Let me know below!"
Relevant Hashtags: Use 3-5 relevant and specific hashtags. Avoid generic ones like #video or #facebook. Instead, use topic and community-specific tags like #gardeningtips or #veganmealprep.
A Call-to-Action (CTA): What do you want people to do after watching? Examples include: "Check out the link in our bio for the full guide!" or "Tag a friend who needs to see this!"

Leverage All of Facebook's Video Features

Increasing your video views isn't just about posting one type of video to the feed. Facebook offers several placement opportunities, each with its own audience and algorithm. A well-rounded video strategy uses a mix of them.

Facebook Reels

If you're creating short-form vertical videos, you should be posting them as Reels. Meta is heavily pushing this format to compete with TikTok, which means Reels often receive preferential treatment from the algorithm and are shown to non-followers. This is your best chance for organic discovery on the platform right now. Focus on creating value or entertainment in 15-60 seconds.

Facebook Stories

Stories are perfect for authentic, behind-the-scenes content that builds a relationship with your existing followers. They appear at the top of the app and feel more personal and less polished than feed content. Use interactive stickers like polls and quizzes to boost engagement and share snippets of longer videos to drive traffic to them.

Facebook Live

Going live is a powerful way to engage with your audience in real-time. Facebook often sends notifications to your followers when you go live, and live videos typically receive higher engagement than pre-recorded content. A Q&A, tutorial, or live event can generate significant views and watch time.

Distribute and Promote Your Video Thoughtfully

Hitting "publish" is just the start. You need to be proactive about getting your video seen by the right people, especially in the first few hours after its launch when the platform is testing its quality with an audience.

Smart Distribution Tactics:

Share in Relevant Groups: Don't spam! Find Facebook Groups where your content would provide real value. Read the rules, engage authentically, and only share your video when it's genuinely helpful instead of solely for self-promotion.
Embed on Your Blog or Website: If you have an existing website or blog, embed your Facebook video. This gives it a new source of views while sending positive engagement signals back to Facebook, boosting it further.
Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with another page in your niche using Facebook's creator tools. When you tag a collaborator, the post shows up on both of your pages, instantly doubling your organic reach.
Cross-Promote on Other Platforms: Share a teaser of your Facebook video on Instagram Stories with a "link in bio" sticker, mention it on X (Twitter), or send it out to your email list. Drive your existing audience from other channels to your new video.

Analyze Your Performance and Adapt

You can't improve what you don't measure. Facebook's built-in analytics inside Meta Business Suite or Creator Studio provide a wealth of information about how your videos are performing. Pay close attention to these metrics:

Average Watch Time: This tells you how long, on average, people are watching your video. A low average watch time is a sign that your hook isn't strong enough or your content isn't holding attention.
Audience Retention: This graph shows you the exact moment when viewers drop off. Pinpoint where you’re losing people. Is it during a slow part? A confusing explanation? Use this data to make your next video more concise and engaging.
1-Minute Video Views: While a 3-second view is okay, a 1-minute view is a much stronger indicator that someone finds your content truly interesting. Optimize for longer watch times to build a more dedicated audience.

Use what you learn. Double down on topics or formats that have high audience retention and average watch times. Retool or discard strategies for content that isn’t performing well.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your Facebook video views is a marathon, not a sprint. It combines smart, scroll-stopping content creation with intentional optimization and strategic distribution. By focusing on hooking viewers early, accommodating silent mobile viewing, leveraging all of Facebook's video formats, and consistently analyzing your results, you'll be able to build sustainable momentum.

We know that staying on top of all of this - especially handling a video-first content calendar across all your social platforms - can feel daunting. That’s precisely why we built Postbase. Since we designed our platform for short-form video from day one, you can plan, schedule, and analyze your videos across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more from a single visual calendar. It helps you stay consistent so your hard work translates into actual views and genuine audience growth.

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

Stop wrestling with outdated social media tools

Wrestling with social media? It doesn’t have to be this hard. Plan your content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze performance — all in one simple, easy-to-use tool.

Schedule your first post

The simplest way to manage your social media