Netflix

Netflix To Add Vertical Preview Videos In App That Function Like Instagram Stories

Netflix may be the latest platform looking to cash in on the ‘Stories‘ craze.

Next month, the streaming giant will reportedly roll out personalized vertical video previews for its growing slate of series and films. Each preview will last 30 seconds apiece and will be accessible, Variety reports, by tapping on round icons on the app’s homescreen — much in the same way that Instagram Stories are formatted. Furthermore, users can swipe through previews in order to continue exploring — just as one might swipe through Stories on Instagram (or Stories forebearer Snapchat).

Netflix will ultimately offer previews for “many hundreds of titles,” said VP of product Todd Yellin

, who described the offer as a “a huge part of the catalog” — though, at launch, users will only be able to swipe through 75 at a time, according to Variety.

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While a similar preview function previously launched on the Netflix smart TV app in 2016, the mobile iteration represents the company’s first-ever use of vertical videos. That said, mobile doesn’t represent a major share of Netflix viewership at just 20%. Nevertheless, 50% of all members use their mobile devices to access the service at least once per month, Variety reports.

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Published by
Geoff Weiss

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