- Facebook Stories are full-screen vertical posts that disappear automatically after 24 hours.
- Create a Story by tapping your profile picture in the Stories row at the top of the Facebook app.
- Use 1080 × 1920 px (9:16) media to fill every phone screen without cropping or letterboxing.
- Keep key content out of the top 14% and bottom 20% of the frame to avoid Facebook UI overlap.
- Photo Stories show for up to 5 seconds. Video Stories run up to 20 seconds per clip.
- Coinis publishes Stories to Facebook and Instagram on a schedule, no manual posting needed.
TL;DR: Open Facebook, tap your profile picture in the Stories row, upload your media, customize with text and stickers, then share. Stories disappear after 24 hours. Use 1080 × 1920 px for the sharpest display.
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What Is a Facebook Story?
Facebook Stories are full-screen, vertical posts that sit at the very top of the app. They disappear after 24 hours. That time limit creates urgency. Viewers know the content won't last, so they check it now instead of scrolling past.
Why Stories matter for engagement
Stories appear above the Feed. Users see them before they scroll anywhere else. That prime placement drives views even when your organic Feed reach is low. Brands use Stories for product teasers, behind-the-scenes moments, and fast-action promotions that need an instant response.
How Stories differ from Feed posts
Feed posts stay on your profile indefinitely. Stories vanish in 24 hours. Feed posts display in portrait or landscape. Stories fill the entire screen vertically. Different formats need different creative strategies. A cropped landscape photo that works on the Feed looks broken in a Story.
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How to Create a Facebook Story: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Open the Story creation interface
On mobile: Open the Facebook app. Tap your profile picture or the "+" icon in the Stories row at the top of your Feed. Select "Create Story."
On desktop: Go to facebook.com. Click "Create Story" in the Stories section at the top of your Feed or in the left sidebar under your profile name.
Step 2: Add content (photo or video)
Tap the camera icon to capture new media on the spot. Or upload from your device gallery. Facebook accepts photos and short video clips. Text-only Story cards work too. Pick the format that fits your message. A single strong image often outperforms a cluttered multi-element layout.
Step 3: Edit and customize
Tap the text tool to write directly on your image. Choose font style, size, and color. Add stickers, polls, countdowns, or location tags from the sticker tray. Apply a filter to set the mood. Drag any element to reposition it. Use the drawing tool to highlight details or annotate important areas.
Step 4: Review before posting
Preview your Story before sharing. Check that text is readable at a glance. Confirm nothing important is cut off near the edges. When it looks right, tap "Share to Story."
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Story Specifications and Formats
Wrong specs mean blurry output and cropped edges. Get these right before you upload anything.
Recommended dimensions and file size
Use 1080 × 1920 px at a 9:16 aspect ratio. That fills every phone screen cleanly. Per Meta's documentation, keep key content out of the top ~14% and bottom ~20% of the frame. That safe zone prevents Facebook's UI elements from covering your text or visuals. Maximum image file size is 30 MB.
Supported file types
For photos, use JPG or PNG. For video, MP4 and MOV work reliably across devices.
Duration and length guidelines
A photo Story shows for up to 5 seconds by default. Video Stories run up to 20 seconds per clip. Chain multiple clips together for a longer sequence. Every Story deletes automatically after 24 hours unless you save it to a Highlight.
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Publishing Your Story
Choosing audience visibility
Tap the audience selector before sharing. Options include Public, Friends, Friends except, or a Custom list. Public gets the widest reach. Custom lists work well for targeted announcements to specific segments of your following.
Scheduling Stories
The Facebook app doesn't offer native Story scheduling. To plan ahead, use a publishing platform. Coinis publishes Stories to Facebook and Instagram on a set schedule. No manual posting required. No phone reminders at 8 AM.
Monitoring Story performance
Before the 24-hour window closes, check your insights. Open the active Story and tap the eye icon. You'll see total views, replies, and reactions. Use that data to understand what format and message landed best, then repeat it.
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Common Story Mistakes to Avoid
Low-quality or blurry media
Uploading media smaller than 1080 × 1920 px produces blurry, pixelated output. Always start with the correct dimensions. Upscaling a small image after the fact rarely fixes it cleanly.
Wrong dimensions causing cropping
Non-9:16 media gets cropped or letterboxed by Facebook. That cuts off text and key visuals at the edges. Resize before uploading. Coinis Revise Smart Resize converts any image to the correct Story dimensions in one click.
Unclear messaging or weak CTAs
You have five seconds to hook someone. Lead with a bold statement. Put your core message front and center. Add a clear next step: "Tap to shop," "DM us," or "See more." Vague Stories get skipped without a second thought.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Facebook Story last?
Facebook Stories disappear automatically after 24 hours. You can save them to Highlights to keep them visible on your profile permanently.
What size should a Facebook Story be?
Use 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. Keep key content away from the top ~14% and bottom ~20% of the frame to avoid overlap with Facebook's UI elements.
Can you schedule a Facebook Story in advance?
The native Facebook app does not support Story scheduling. You need a third-party publishing platform like Coinis to schedule and auto-publish Stories to Facebook and Instagram.
What file types does Facebook Stories support?
Facebook Stories support JPG and PNG for images, and MP4 and MOV for video. Maximum image file size is 30 MB.