Facebook lets anyone make their own Snapchat-like photo frames

PanARMENIAN.Net - Facebook is launching a series of new features to help people customize their photos and videos in the social network’s continuing battle with Snapchat, an app that put the camera, photos and video at the front-and-center of social interactions. On Thursday, December 8, Facebook is unveiling a new tool that will allow anyone, including Facebook Page owners, to create custom profile frames for users’ photos. It’s also introducing similar capabilities, along with other effects that can be used on both photos and videos, with its new “in-app camera” available in a single test market, TechCrunch reports.

With the Camera Effects Platform, Facebook is opening Facebook profile frame creation to all.

Using a simple online tool that doesn’t require any technical skills — only graphic design skills — anyone can develop and then submit frames that can be used by others on Facebook. The frames can support teams, causes, businesses, events or anything else someone wants to promote.

To create a frame, you’ll first create your design in your favorite software program and export it as a PNG file with a transparent background for each element. This frame is then uploaded to Facebook, where you can preview it in different sizes, and you can add other details. The final step is to submit the frame for approval.

Facebook says that frames must adhere to its policies and terms in order to go live. This approval process means no one can launch frame content that’s offensive or illegal. Plus, the company reserves the right to take down any frames retroactively if they’re later discovered to be in violation, TechCrunch says.

Facebook isn’t making this Camera Effects Platform available in the U.S. at launch. Instead, the tool will initially be open to those in Colombia, Mexico, Taiwan, the U.K. and Ireland. The company explains to TechCrunch that these markets were chosen because they’re where the profile frames have been used the most to date.

Most of the current frames are focused on sports, but despite the addition of popular U.S. sports, like NFL, NHL, college sports and more, the U.S. hasn’t been as big on frames as other markets, it seems. Being able to personalize them, or adopt those that go beyond sports and major events, could eventually change that.