Please read this if you created or plan to create Facebook Live events on your Facebook page. If you have not hosted any in the past, AND don’t plan to in the future, skip this email.

Did you know? Facebook is updating how live videos are stored.

Here’s what’s changing and how it may affect you:

• Time-Limited Storage: Beginning February 19, Facebook allows replays, downloads, and shares of new live broadcasts for only 30 days. After that, the videos are automatically deleted.
• Old Live Videos: If you have live videos that are older than 30 days, they will also be removed soon. But don’t worry—you’ll get a notification on Facebook and via email beforehand. Once notified, you’ll have 90 days to download or transfer your archive before they’re gone.
• Phased Deletion: The removal process will happen in waves over several months.

These changes apply to live videos streamed on Facebook Pages or Profiles (Groups are not specifically mentioned).

What Are Your Options?

Download Individually: Save each live video after your stream ends—or within 30 days.

Bulk Download: Use Facebook’s native bulk download tool (or the “Download Your Information” option on your profile/Page).

Cloud Transfer: Directly transfer videos to Dropbox or Google Drive.

Request an Extension: Need more time? You can apply for a 6-month extension to download or transfer older live videos.

Create Short Clips: Repurpose your live content as Reels before downloading or transferring. Facebook continues prioritizing short-form, vertical video for their platform.

Re-upload: You can download and re-share live videos as regular uploads onto any Facebook destination, such as Pages, Profiles, or Groups.

Why the Policy Change?

Facebook explains this shift as part of revised storage policies. According to Meta, most live video views happen shortly after streaming, so storing them indefinitely isn’t efficient. Add to that Meta’s hefty $65 billion investment in AI development this year, and it seems they’re trimming budgets wherever possible—including long video storage.

Note: This policy applies to ALL Facebook live streams, even those created via third-party tools. Consider using multi-streaming platforms like StreamYard, Ecamm Live, BeLive, or Restream to simultaneously stream on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms. This way, you’ll have an automatic backup of your content on those channels!

Are you ready for these changes?

Will you go back and save your older live streams? I know that many of you held live streams during the Covid years. Think about if you want to save these videos. If you want to discuss, give us a call and we’ll walk you through the options.

Thanks!