Recently Facebook introduced 360 photos, following 360 videos. By posting 360 photos, you share an immersive view of your world. You can explore a 360 photo on mobile by tapping and dragging the photo or by moving your phone. When you are checking Facebook on the web, you just have to click and drag to see the picture as if you were actually there.

360 photos can be watched on Facebook via the web and the latest version of the Facebook app on iOS and Android. 360 photos are easy to identify within the mass of photos in your timeline. Thanks to the 360 icon, a compass, you’ll immediately see that you can virtually transport yourself to another place. And what’s more, you can explore Facebook 360 photos in virtual reality with the Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus.

Compass 360 photo
Source: http://newsroom.fb.com

Facebook announced it’s rolling out the ability to share your own 360 photos.

You can create a Facebook 360 Photo yourself by following these steps:

  • With a iOS device or a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you just have to take a picture in ‘Panorama’ mode. You can also use a 360 photo app or a 360 camera to capture your special moment.
  • You can post the 360 photo in exactly the same way you post a normal photo: select the ‘photo/video’ button in the status tool from the top of your Timeline or News Feed, choose your 360 photo, and tap ‘Post’.
  • That’s it! Easy peasy 😉

Obviously, the 360 photos bring in new possibilities for creativity. The blog ‘Facebook 360’ describes the novelty as “a stunning and captivating way for publishers and content creators to share immersive stories, places and experiences with their fans.” By sharing 360 photos, marketers can give their followers behind-the-scenes access, what will bring them closer to the brand. The blog ‘Unmetric’ gives an overview of the 360 photos that brands shared to promote themselves.

To make the concept of 360 photos perfectly clear, here’s a great video tutorial:
how to make 360 Facebook Photos