If you’ve been using Facebook Live to stream your podcast, there’s an important change that you need to know about—Facebook is now automatically deleting live videos that are more than 30 days old. This policy shift could have a major impact on content creators who rely on Facebook as a primary video-hosting platform.
I was a blogger for over a decade and I have done a TON of lives on Facebook. I have a lot of videos to download and store. Some podcasters create audio only content, so this might not freak them out like it does the rest of us. If nothing else, it is a reminder that we all need to make sure that we have our own copies of our work stored outside of these platforms.
Looks like it is time to get a good hard drive 😅
What This Means for Podcasters
For podcasters who have been using Facebook Live to reach their audience, this change means:
- Loss of Archived Content – Any past live streams older than 30 days will be deleted unless saved elsewhere. If Facebook has been your primary storage for past episodes, you may lose valuable content.
- Reduced Discoverability – Many podcasters use their Facebook video archive as a way to attract new listeners. With this new policy, your older live-streamed episodes will no longer be available for new audiences to discover.
- Increased Content Management Needs – Podcasters will now need to be more proactive about downloading and storing their live-streamed content before it disappears.
How Facebook Notifies Creators & Extending the Deletion Period
Facebook is notifying creators about the policy change through in-app alerts and emails. If you manage a Facebook Page, you may see a notification in Creator Studio or Business Suite warning you about upcoming deletions.
How to Extend the Deletion Period
Facebook allows creators to extend the storage time for live videos beyond 30 days, but only if action is taken before the deletion deadline. To extend the retention period:
- Go to Creator Studio or Your Page’s Video Library.
- Find the live video that is approaching the 30-day limit. Facebook will mark these with a warning.
- Click on the video settings and select “Extend Expiration.”
- Choose a new retention period if available. Some users have reported options for 60 or 90 days, but this feature may not be available to all accounts. Some have reported that they can get up to six months. Go check your account to be sure, ASAP.
If you don’t take action, your live videos will be automatically deleted after 30 days.
What Podcasters Should Do Next
Download and Store Your Facebook Live Videos
If you have live videos on Facebook that are older than 30 days, now is the time to start downloading them. To do this:
- Go to your Facebook Creator Studio or Facebook Page where your videos are stored.
- Find the live video you want to save.
- Click the three-dot menu and select Download Video.
For full details about how to bulk download or create clips for reels, click here.
Once downloaded, consider saving them in multiple locations:
- External hard drives for offline backup.
- Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
- Video hosting platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Rumble.
Use a Dedicated Video Platform
Rather than relying solely on Facebook, podcasters should consider streaming and archiving content on platforms built for long-term video storage, such as:
- YouTube – Allows live streaming and automatically archives videos indefinitely.
- Twitch – Popular among live streamers, though it has its own content retention limits.
- Vimeo – A paid option with more control over video hosting.
By uploading your videos to these platforms after streaming, you ensure your content remains accessible.
Plan for Other Platforms Making Similar Moves
Facebook’s decision to limit the lifespan of live videos may be a sign of things to come for other platforms. To avoid last-minute scrambling in case others follow suit:
- Make local copies of all live-streamed episodes moving forward.
- Set up an automated backup system that saves your live videos immediately after recording.
- Diversify your content distribution strategy by posting on multiple platforms rather than relying on just one.
Communicate with Your Audience
If your audience has been relying on Facebook to watch your podcast episodes, let them know where they can find your past and future content. Post updates directing them to your YouTube channel, website, or another long-term platform.
I’ve been pretty good about storing our videos and audio files outside of platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. These platforms aren’t created to store our content. Policy changes and shut downs at the platform can jeopardize your business. Just ask the Vine stars who didn’t download their videos.
Facebook’s new policy serves as a wake-up call for podcasters and content creators who have relied on social media platforms as permanent storage solutions. The best approach now is to take control of your content by downloading, backing up, and diversifying where your podcast is hosted. By doing this, you’ll avoid losing valuable episodes and ensure your audience can continue to access your content for years to come.
