Starting February 19, 2025, all Facebook live broadcast recordings will be automatically deleted 30 days after their initial streaming date. This change affects both new and existing live videos. Users are encouraged to download their content before the 30-day period elapses to prevent loss.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, cites that “most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting.” This adjustment aims to align Facebook’s storage policies with industry standards and optimize server space.

Options for creators

To retain live videos, creators can do the following:

  • Download videos: Access your profile’s “Videos” tab, select the desired video, view it in full screen, and choose “Download video” from the menu.
  • Bulk download: For multiple videos, navigate to “Your live videos” in your Activity Log, select the videos and request a bulk download within a specified date range.
  • Transfer to cloud services: Facebook offers tools to transfer videos directly to cloud platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive.
  • Convert to reels: Share segments of your live videos as Reels, keeping in mind the 90-second duration limit.

Notifications and extensions

Facebook will notify users via email and app alerts before deleting any live videos. Upon receiving a notification, you’ll have 90 days to download or transfer your content. If more time is needed, you can request a postponement, granting up to six additional months to secure your videos.

What this means for the creator community

This policy shift will push the timely content management for creators. While it may pose challenges, especially for those who rely on Facebook’s platform to archive their work, it is also an opportunity to reassess content strategies. Creators might consider diversifying their storage solutions or repurposing live content across different platforms to maximize reach and longevity.

So, with Facebook’s new 30-day deletion policy for live videos, if you want to keep your past livestream content and future live content make sure to back up your content to prevent losing content you want to keep.