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Starting today, Facebook will begin testing autoplay videos -- including ads -- with sound in its iOS and Android apps. Facebook told Mashable the test will be limited to Australian users and rolled out in two different ways to gauge how users react. In both versions of the test, sound will only play if the iPhone's volume is turned up, and sound can also be turned to "always off" in Facebook settings.

facebook_video_ios.jpeg
In one version of the test, sound plays immediately as the video begins, if you have sound enabled on your device. Another group is able to turn sound on during the test session using an icon that will sit to the bottom right of videos.

Both groups see a pop-up message informing them about how to use the controls, and sound will only play if the smartphone's volume is up. If you don't want to annoy your workmates, sound can also be turned to "always off" in Facebook settings.
The test is interesting given that Facebook's own research concluded that mobile users prefer having the choice to opt in to sound, with 80% of people reacting negatively towards both the platform and advertiser if sound is unexpectedly played. But, given that Facebook is an advertising-driven company with aspirations of pushing deeper into video content, autoplay sound may eventually be a necessary evil.

Article Link: Facebook Now Testing Autoplay Videos With Sound in iOS App
 

dukeblue219

macrumors regular
Dec 18, 2012
213
374
I'm going to guess that the reaction is negative, guys. Just like the reaction to forcing people to the Messenger app. They recently blocked users from even using the mobile webpage to access FB messages on mobile. This is just another example of how out-of-touch the guys running the show are.

I'm from the generation of "original" Facebook users who were starting college when Facebook first came out and was limited to college students. We've been on Facebook for 11-12 years now. Yes, almost everyone in my age HAS a Facebook account, but almost nobody actually posts anything anymore. People still look at it constantly, but also like to complain about how much we hate it. The only thing keeping people on Facebook is a sense of connection to their old friends from HS and college, and they are *this* close to pushing people away with their user experience and privacy issues.
 

iSRS

macrumors 6502
Mar 2, 2010
469
292
The test is interesting given that Facebook's own research concluded that mobile users prefer having the choice to opt in to sound, with 80% of people reacting negatively towards both the platform and advertiser if sound is unexpectedly played.

So all this tells me is that it doesn't make a difference in what people reacting negatively do with their wallet. If this 80% negative reaction translated to a loss of engagement or loss of revenue for either.
 

qubex

macrumors 6502
I for one would cease to use the Facebook app if it started autoplaying audio. More often than not my Timeline is littered with irrelevant and uninteresting crap anyway so it would be a very minor sacrifice at this point.

I doubt my reaction would be totally atypical either: they are entirely aware they need to strike a balance between interest/utility and exploitation so they can maintain their eyeball ratings.
 
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Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,260
11,760
A feature I will turn off immediately if it is available. Wait, we can do so right now?
 

Carmenia83

macrumors 6502
Feb 25, 2012
375
499
I guess they forgot how annoying that was on MySpace. People will move on to a new platform eventually. Many have already. Facebook has been reduced to a stream of ads and status updates from friends-of-friends-of-friends that I don't even know anyway.
 

one more

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2015
5,152
6,572
Earth
One more reason to use it in Safari and ditch the app, which takes lots of space on iOS devices anyway.
 

Zorn

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2006
1,133
796
Ohio
I'm from the generation of "original" Facebook users who were starting college when Facebook first came out and was limited to college students. We've been on Facebook for 11-12 years now. Yes, almost everyone in my age HAS a Facebook account, but almost nobody actually posts anything anymore. People still look at it constantly, but also like to complain about how much we hate it. The only thing keeping people on Facebook is a sense of connection to their old friends from HS and college, and they are *this* close to pushing people away with their user experience and privacy issues.

Oh man, all the feels. Back when the website was actually enjoyable to use and not a convoluted piece of adware.
 

kasakka

macrumors 68020
Oct 25, 2008
2,375
1,066
It's like Facebook is purposely trying to push users away from their service all in the name of pleasing advertisers. I'm already limiting my FB use because my feed is mostly full of people I don't know thanks to showing whatever my friends like.
 

appledos

macrumors newbie
Jan 21, 2016
17
66
Oh man, all the feels. Back when the website was actually enjoyable to use and not a convoluted piece of adware.

Let's be honest, it wasn't enjoyable to use back then either. How often would it be that you'd check in to Facebook only to receive 20+ notifications to join Farmville? And political flamewars have been in the timeline since the early days.

Facebook engineer make fantastic libraries, but Facebook itself is a parasite that feeds off of its user's personal information. I closed my account in 2010 and haven't looked back.
 

KenAlan

macrumors newbie
Aug 23, 2016
2
1
How dare Facebook put autoplay video ads with sounds in the app!
I pay good money to use Facebook, and....
Wait, I don't pay anything to use Facebook. It is free.
Well, I paid good money to get that app, and...
Wait, the app is free. I don't pay anything.
Well, Facebook forces me to use their site and app.
Wait, no one is forcing me to use Facebook.
Well, how dare Facebook provide me with a free service that lets me stay in touch with friends and relatives, and then they expect me to watch ads!
No more Facebook for me. That means more time for watching television where I don't have to put up with ads that automatically play with sound and everything.
Wait...
 

xero9

macrumors 6502a
Nov 7, 2006
864
487
I know this comes up every time, but..

I finally deleted the Facebook app. This post right here is reason enough, but I just got tired of getting random notifications about stuff I can't even really turn off. I'd get random "Do you know <so and so>?" or "<so and so> added photos". It wasn't anyone that I followed, or had specifically said I want to see everything they post. And the friend suggestions were so crazy because we didn't have any mutual friends and more often than not they were halfway around the world. It's one thing to think MAYBE I knew this person, but to single them out and send a notification to my phone about it was too much.
 

l00pback

macrumors regular
May 28, 2010
134
131
That means more time for watching television where I don't have to put up with ads that automatically play with sound and everything.
Wait...

HA! I watch my shows on Netflix, with no ads, and for which I pay. Joke's on you, buddy!
/s
 
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