Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced a major policy shift regarding live video storage on the platform. Beginning February 19, 2025, all new live broadcast videos will only be available for replay, download, or sharing for 30 days before they are automatically deleted. This change marks the end of Facebook’s long-standing policy of indefinite storage for live videos and reflects a shift toward a more streamlined content management system.
In a blog post, Facebook explained that the decision was based on user behavior, as data shows that most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting. By updating its storage policies, the company aims to align with industry standards and enhance the live video experience on the platform. This move is also expected to help Facebook optimize its storage resources and improve platform efficiency.
As part of this transition, all existing live videos that are more than 30 days old will also be deleted. The removal process will take place in phases over the coming months, ensuring users have sufficient time to save their content before it is permanently removed. To facilitate this process, Facebook has introduced several tools that allow users to download or transfer their videos before they disappear.
Users will receive notifications via email and in-app alerts informing them that their archived live videos are set for deletion. Once notified, they will have 90 days to act. During this period, they can choose to download their videos to a personal device, transfer them to cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive or Dropbox, or convert portions of their live broadcasts into reels to preserve key moments.
For users who wish to keep highlights from their live streams beyond the 30-day limit, Facebook is offering the option to clip and save selected moments as reels. This feature allows users to create short-form content from their live videos, which will remain accessible on their profiles for friends, family, and followers to view. This initiative is in line with Facebook’s broader push toward promoting short-form video content, which has become increasingly popular across social media platforms.
In addition to these tools, Facebook is also providing an option for users to extend the deletion timeline by an additional six months. To activate this extension, users must respond to the deletion notification and follow the on-screen prompts to postpone the removal. However, if they do not take further action within the extended period, their live videos will be permanently erased from the platform.
The decision to limit live video storage to 30 days comes as part of Facebook’s ongoing efforts to refine its platform, improve content organization, and enhance user experience. With increasing competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Facebook is shifting its focus toward more dynamic and engaging content formats. By encouraging users to transform their live broadcasts into reels, Meta aims to keep users engaged while also managing storage demands more efficiently.
This move is expected to have a significant impact on content creators, businesses, and organizations that rely on live streaming for communication and engagement. While some may find the 30-day limit restrictive, others may see it as an opportunity to repurpose their content in new ways. Facebook’s introduction of flexible download, transfer, and conversion options suggests that the company is aiming to strike a balance between managing its digital infrastructure and maintaining user accessibility to their content.
As Facebook continues to evolve, this policy change underscores the platform’s strategic shift toward prioritizing fresh and interactive video content. Whether this move will be widely embraced by users remains to be seen, but it signals a broader trend of social media companies refining their approaches to video content storage and accessibility.
