Facebook is testing video replies to comments

Facebook founder Mark ZuckerbergGetty Images / Romeo Gacad

Facebook could soon let users make video responses to posts.

The feature, which is being tested in a number of countries, lets users record and post video replies on Facebook's iOS and Android apps and via its website.

The company is trialling the tool to "give people different tools to share fun, expressive content with their friends on Facebook," according to a report by VentureBeat.

To comment with a video, a user clicks reply in the same way that they would normally write a text response. When the text box loads, click the camera icon and then change the camera mode to video. The videos won't autoplay in the newsfeed, Facebook said.

Some users have seen notifications highlighting the feature but these will not necessarily be displayed. Facebook has not provided any details on the scope of the trial either in terms of numbers of exact locations.

The move is not a surprise as the company has been aggressively pursuing videos to grow audience engagement.

In June 2015, the company tweaked its newsfeed algorithm to favour videos being posted by news organisations and publications. The changes meant more videos were pushed to the top of Facebook feeds. By November, the company said eight billion views were being made on its videos each day, double the amount of daily views from April.

The company has introduced video calling in its Messenger app, while Facebook-owned WhatsApp is also reportedly testing a video calling feature.

In September 2015, Facebook has launched its Live Video platform in the USA. The streaming option lets anyone broadcast video from a phones or connected camera to Facebook friends and followers.

Broadcasts can be up to 90 minutes long with viewers able to make comments in real-time. When a broadcast has finished it will stay on a timeline or page for anyone to view.

One of the biggest broadcasts on Facebook Live to date saw BuzzFeed staff put elastic bands on a watermelon until it exploded. At the time the video feed had around 807,000 people watching it live and has had more than five million views in total.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK