If you are a Facebook user, you have probably noticed that there are two ways to share your content on the platform: Facebook Feed and Story. But what is the difference between them, and which should you use for your content?
Facebook Feed is the core functionality of Facebook that has been around since the beginning. You can post text, photos, videos, links, polls, live videos, and more using the “What’s on your mind?” box. Your posts will appear on your timeline or wall and your friends’ and followers’ news feeds. You can also see other people’s posts and pages that you follow on your News Feed.
On the other hand, Facebook Story is a relatively new feature that was introduced in 2017. It is where you can share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. You can add filters, stickers, effects, text, and more to your stories to make them fun and creative. Your stories will appear at the top of your News Feed and Messenger, as well as on your profile. You can also see other people’s stories and pages you follow at the top of your News Feed.
In this article, we will compare and contrast Facebook Feed and Story and give you some tips on how to use them effectively
Difference between Facebook Feed and Story
There are several differences between Facebook Feed and Story, such as:
Lifetime
Posts on Facebook Feed stay on your timeline indefinitely or until you delete them manually. Stories on Facebook Story last only 24 hours and then get deleted automatically.
Visibility
Posts on Facebook Feed can be seen by anyone who scrolls through your timeline or News Feed. Stories on Facebook Story can only be seen by tapping them at the top of your News Feed or Messenger.
Engagement
Posts on Facebook Feed allow likes, comments, and shares. Stories on Facebook Story allow reactions and replies that are sent through Messenger.
Views
Posts on Facebook Feed do not show how many people have viewed them. Stories on Facebook Story show how many people have viewed them and who they are.
Editing
Posts on Facebook Feed have limited editing tools such as adding background colour, cropping, or rotating. Stories on Facebook Story have many creative tools, such as filters, stickers, doodles, effects, GIFs, etc.
Audience
Both the posts on Facebook Feed and stories on Facebook Story can be set to public, friends, or custom lists.
Here’s a tabular representation of the above differences:
| Feature | Facebook Feed | Facebook Story |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | Indefinite or until manually deleted | It lasts 24 hours and then deleted |
| Visibility | Limited tools (colour, crop, rotate) | Visible by tapping at the top of the feed or Messenger |
| Engagement | Likes, comments, shares | Reactions and replies through Messenger |
| Views | Not shown | Displays views and viewer identities |
| Editing | Limited tools (color, crop, rotate) | Creative tools (filters, stickers, doodles, effects, GIFs) |
| Audience | Public, friends, custom lists | Public, friends, custom lists |
Also read: How to remove myself as an admin on Facebook page?
Which one should you use for your content?
The answer depends on your goals, audience, and type of content. Here are some general guidelines to help you decide:
Facebook Feed
Use Facebook Feed to share evergreen content relevant for a long time, such as blog posts, articles, news, announcements, promotions, etc. You can also use it to share educational, informative, or inspirational content that adds value to your audience.
Facebook Story
Use Facebook Story to share ephemeral content that is relevant for a short time, such as behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks, polls, quizzes, tips, tricks and more.
You can also share casual, personal or entertaining content that shows your personality and connects with your audience.
Also read: What is the Facebook birthday calendar? How to use it?
How to optimise your content for Facebook Feed and Story?
To make sure your content performs well on both Facebook Feed and Story, here are some best practices that you should follow:
For Facebook Feed
- Use catchy headlines that grab attention and curiosity.
- Use high-quality images or videos that stand out.
- Include a clear call to action that tells your audience what to do next.
- Use hashtags, tags, or mentions to increase reach and engagement.
- Experiment with formats like live videos, polls, or carousel posts.
- Analyse your insights to see what works best for your audience.
For Facebook Story
- Use vertical images or videos that fill the screen.
- Add texts or stickers to convey your message or emotion.
- Use filters or effects to enhance your visuals.
- Create interactive polls, quizzes or questions.
- Use story highlights to showcase your best stories on your profile.
- Respond to reactions and replies to build relationships with your audience.
In conclusion, Facebook Feed and Story are two different ways to share your content on Facebook. Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on your goals, audience, and type of content. By understanding their differences and following the best practices mentioned above, you can create engaging content that reaches more people and achieves more results.
Also read: How to find drafts on Facebook?
