Facebook was first launched in 2004.

At the time, Mark Zuckerberg was a student at Harvard and was simply looking for a way for students to connect more efficiently with each other.

What most people don’t know is, prior to the launch of Facebook, Zuckerberg created Facemash.

It was a simple app that allowed students to look at photos of other students and rate them for ‘hotness’.

Zuckerberg was nearly expelled from Harvard but Facemash became the foundation of Facebook.

It quickly became popular at Harvard and expanded to other universities.

Within two years, Facebook was available to anyone in the world. Since then the social media site has grown rapidly.

Today it has approximately three billion users and is the most popular social media network in the world.

Of course, Facebook needs to constantly evolve to stay at the top.

That’s why Facebook Live was launched and what makes the following Facebook Live stats so interesting.

Post Contents

1 Key Statistics
2 The Most Important Facebook Live Stats in 2024
3 Understanding Facebook Live
4 Getting Started With Facebook Live
5 Summing Up
6 Sources

Key Statistics

As of 2017 one in five Facebook videos has been produced live
Facebook live videos create 6 times more interactions compared to traditional ones
Live videos on Facebook generate 10 times more comments
After it’s launch, there was a 330% increase in live video search popularity
2 billion videos were viewed in the first two years of Facebook live
Facebook boosted popularity and awareness of Facebook live by paying celebrities to use it
After live’s launch approximately 100 million hours of video have been watched daily
Facebook live was the first to introduce augmented reality filters
Approximately 75% of marketing professionals use Facebook live
Just 1% of businesses use Facebook live daily

The Most Important Facebook Live Stats in 2024

1. As Of 2017 One In Five Facebook Videos Has Been Produced Live

This statistic speaks for itself, showing how important live streaming has become.

However, while live streaming is an important tool on social media, it’s still not the most popular option.

Traditional, pre-recorded short videos have the top spot on Facebook, the same is true across other social media channels.

It is worth noting that social media is still the preferred choice for uploading and sharing live videos.

The majority of these are on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitter Live, and Twitch.

(Facebook For Business)

2. Facebook Live Videos Create 6 Times More Interactions Compared To Traditional Ones

This is an important fact for anyone looking to build followers or sell products online.

Traditional videos often provoke a response when they’re watched.

However, the number of interactions received is limited.

It’s reasonable to assume most people don’t know when a video was posted so are unsure if a comment or other action will be seen or not.

That’s not true when it comes to live videos.

This is probably the primary reason that a live video will get 6 times more interactions than the same posting in a pre-recorded format.

After all, despite doing so much digitally, people still like to feel connected.

(Facebook)

3. Live Videos On Facebook Generate 10 Times More Comments

Interestingly, while overall interactions are six times higher, comments on live stream videos are an impressive ten times higher.

Again, this is likely because the viewer knows the poster is currently online and able to respond.

That makes posting a comment or question a more attractive option.

In effect, this helps to make the live streaming experience more personal.

Creating a connection helps to ensure the user will visit again.

Of course, the fact that the viewer is watching unique content that no one has seen before is very appealing.

Being able to partially direct the action through comments simply helps them to live in the moment.

(Live Reacting)

4. After It’s Launch, There Was A 330% Increase In Live Video Search Popularity

Facebook was careful to control the launch of Facebook Live, ensuring there was maximum interest.

This was helped by delaying the release of the feature to the general public.

The result, and a testimony to the power of social media, was an increase of 330% in searches related to live videos.

This happened when Facebook Live was released but not available to everyone.

Today, 80% of people prefer live video to blogs and over 80% prefer live video to social media posts.

These facts have made live video watch times blast through the roof.

It’s not just search popularity that increased, the number of people watching live videos increased dramatically in a short space of time.

Watch times for Facebook Live videos quadrupled in just one year.

(LinkedIn)

5. 2 Billion Videos Were Viewed In The First Two Years Of Facebook Live

Another testimony to the power of Facebook and the popularity of live streaming is the fact that an impressive two billion live videos were watched within the first two years of Facebook Live being launched.

The years in question were 2016-2018. Increased popularity, the global pandemic, and greater numbers of internet users have pushed this figure up.

Today, over one billion live videos are watched every year.

(Engadget)

6. Facebook Boosted Popularity And Awareness Of Facebook Live By Paying Celebrities To Use It

Facebook was a latecomer to the live video game. YouTube, amongst others, had been doing it for several years.

That means Facebook needed a gimmick to allow them to successfully launch Facebook Live and make it a success.

They did this by releasing the service only to specific celebrities and then paying them to use the site.

It’s believed that Facebook spent an impressive $50 million on this campaign.

The celebrities were paid, giving them access to Facebook Live.

In exchange they had to post regular live videos. All users could watch or follow, allowing them to get excited about the power of Facebook Live.

The tactic worked as, once Facebook Live went public, millions signed up in the first few hours.

(Forbes)

7. After Live’s Launch Approximately 100 Million Hours Of Video Have been Watched Daily

When Facebook Live was launched Facebook had roughly two billion followers. That was an instantly ready audience for live videos.

In short, the large audience made it highly likely that the new service would be well received.

Of course, it was well received and users started to watch live feeds instantly.

It was still possible to access standard, pre-recorded feeds.

The sheer amount of content uploaded in the first two years meant the Facebook members in total were watching as much as 100 million hours of video daily!

(Facebook)

8. Facebook Live Was The First To Introduce Augmented Reality Filters

As mentioned, Facebook was behind the competition when launching its live service.

They needed a gimmick to increase the popularity and desirability of the service.

They did this by introducing augmented reality filters in 2016.

The filters were designed to add special effects to any video, including creating live animations.

The majority of them were based on facial recognition, meaning that the video poster would have their face altered.

Most people have used these when creating live streaming content or even when talking on a video call with friends.

They were designed to make the experience more fun and attract more users to the service. It worked.

(Facebook)

9. Approximately 75% Of Marketing Professionals Use Facebook Live

Video content has become an essential part of any marketing campaign. This is perfectly illustrated by marketing professionals.

In 2018 just 30% of marketing professionals were using Facebook Live. By 2019 this figure had increased to 35%.

Fast forward another four years and 75% of marketing professionals are using live video streaming to reach their customers.

There is little doubt the global pandemic influenced the rapid rise in these percentages.

However, even with the pandemic passed, there seems no sign of these figures reducing.

It’s simply too effective a way to reach existing and potential customers.

(Statista)

10. Just 1% Of Businesses Use Facebook Live Daily

Despite businesses and marketing professionals being aware of the power of live videos, only 1% of businesses are using Facebook Live daily!

25% of businesses state they release a live video once a month, 12% release a video once a week.

Just 5% of businesses share videos several times a week and a humble 1% share daily.

Live video posting works and Facebook recommends users post daily to get the best results from the platform.

Yet, businesses are still reluctant to fully commit to live video.

If that’s your business you should consider upping the amount of live video you do per week.

The secret to producing more content is to use different styles, such as instructional videos, followed by Q&As or chats with a friend.

(Twitch)

Understanding Facebook Live

Facebook allows you to upload messages, pictures, and videos.

Facebook Live takes this a step further and provides access to a live streaming channel.

In other words, you can upload videos in real time, allowing your followers to watch you as you perform any task.

Any viewer can post an emoji, like a live video, or even add a comment.

In return, you can read and respond to these comments and see who is watching your live feed.

Video has become the most popular medium online.

Users of social media actively search out videos, that’s why Facebook needed to offer a live video option.

If they didn’t they would lose followers to the competition.

For example, YouTube has allowed live videos since 2011, Facebook Live didn’t start until 2016.

Getting Started With Facebook Live

If you already have a Facebook account then you’re ready to go! If not, you’ll need to create a Facebook account first.

Then, download Facebook Live and open the app. You can then move to the page or event where you want to post a live feed.

Once there, select the publisher option and then the direct button.

You’ll have an opportunity to create a video description.

You can include your location, how you’re feeling, or tag friends, amongst other stuff.

When you’re ready select the start live video option and your device will start filming.

You can perform any activity you want and it will be livestreamed on your chosen page.

When you’ve had enough, simply select the finish button at the base of the screen and then take a look at what you created.

The last part isn’t obligatory, some people never look at what they have created.

Summing Up

The Facebook Live stats clearly show that this type of social media practice is here to stay.

All businesses and even individuals should embrace the challenge.

However, while the future looks certain to involve more videos, particularly live ones, Facebook is dedicated to maintaining a balance between private and public information.

You can expect to see more measures in the near future to secure people’s information.

Alongside this, there is likely to be increased usage of live videos.

Facebook already allows live videos in buy and sell groups.

They are likely to expand this, allowing a buyer to ask any questions they have and order an item without having to leave the live video.

If you’re using Facebook Live you’ll need to monitor the situation closely, this will help you know what is changing and capitalize on any opportunity that arises.