Why you don't see 360 pictures on Facebook and social networks anymore

In June 2016, Facebook launched the 360-degree photo shooting feature. A year earlier, the social network had already begun to integrate immersive content into its newsfeed. Since then, this format seems to have disappeared from the social network.

So why don't we see more 360-degree photos on Facebook?

1. Facebook has never offered true 360-degree photography

It seems that Facebook has made a full-scale test but without going to the end of the concept, by proposing in fact an improved panorama. In other words, you can make and view the images from left to right up to 180°, but you can't look over or behind you. In this, Facebook 360 has a misleading name. This operation was therefore more marketing and a first user appetite test than a groundbreaking innovation.

2. The 360 photo is more useful for professionals

You've already heard a lot about the professional uses of immersive photography, which are more and more numerous, and of which we've made a first list. On the other hand, for private individuals, this format still has many disadvantages: you can't make an image without being on it, the quality is worse than a conventional photo, the cameras always cost a certain price and must be taken in addition to the smartphone. Finally, the visualization and sharing of images is a little more complicated (even if we do everything we can to make your life easier).

3. One often confuses photo 360 and video 360.

It's not only the photo that has been tested on social networks. The 360 video made a sensational debut, despite many technical and screenplay obstacles, which were detailed in a previous article. For example: the quality cannot be easily improved, and the realization is very complicated (how to make sure that the technical team is never in the field? And how do you tell the viewer where to look without losing interest in 360°?

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For all these reasons, the 360 photo is probably intended to be installed first of all on the web in a more classical way, on websites that will see a real added value: car dealers, UAV pilots, real estate agents, universities, etc.... For holiday memories, we'll see later.