Looping videos are coming soon to Facebook users’ mobile profiles

Facebook’s mobile profiles are sporting a new look for the fall.

Today, the social network announced on its blog that it will drastically redesign user profiles, which are viewed 4 billion times a day. Facebook’s massive push to mobile, as evidenced by its new logo and ad products, are the reason why it’s redesigning people’s profiles the company says.

So, what’s new? For starters, Facebook is melding together Vine’s looping videos and Snapchat’s animated pictures to let users create seven second long “profile videos” placed front and center on the new profile, a major shift from being previously placed on the left side of the screen.

“Profile videos will let show a part of yourself you couldn’t before, and add a new dimension to your profile,” Facebook says, without mentioning the data it will suck up for those with capped plans.

Here’s what they look like:

facebookprofpi

Keeping with its focus on updating profile pictures, Facebook is also introducing temporary profile pictures, meaning people can choose a new profile picture for up to a week before it’s changed back.

Noting that 26 million installed the rainbow filter following the Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, Facebook says “it was more apparent than ever that people use their profile picture to show who they are— even if it’s just for a moment in time.”

The changes aren’t limited to profile pictures. Facebook is increasing the amount of information is displayed on top of profiles too, including a new one-line biography field, place of employment, education, hobbies and other information. It’s also letting people choose up to five “Featured Photos” to be publicly showcased so people can edit their #PersonalBrand.

featured-photos_cy_final

The changes are still being tested in a small group, but will roll out to everyone “soon.”

https://staging.digiday.com/?p=138525

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