Facebook is conducting a test with users in select markets. Those users will find that any and all videos in their News Feed will start playing automatically as they scroll by. That’s not all. These autoplay videos will have their sound turned on by default. Autoplay videos are not a new concept to Facebook and Twitter users, however, many won’t like the sound to be turned on in these videos by default.
Starting today users in Australia will find that all types of videos in the News Feed, including video ads, will play automatically when they are browsing the social network using an iOS or Android app. They will also find the sound turned on by default.
Another group in the same market will only get autoplay videos and they will have to turn the sound on themselves by tapping on an icon which will be located at the bottom right of the video.
Both groups will get a pop-up message teaching them how to use the controls, the sound will only play if the handset’s volume is up, users will also get the option to turn sound “always off” in Facebook settings.
A spokesperson for the social network confirmed to Mashable that “We’re running a small test in News Feed where people can choose whether they want to watch videos with sound on from the start,” adding that this is one of several tests Facebook is running to improve the overall experience. It remains to be seen if this change is rolled out to all Facebook users across the globe.