After teasing a return to “OG Facebook” earlier this yr, the social community on Thursday introduced an replace that may give customers a easy solution to join with associates. The firm is introducing a brand new Facebook Friends tab that may solely showcase updates from associates, with out some other really helpful content material. Meta explains in a weblog submit that the concept is to carry again options targeted on Facebook’s unique mission of connecting individuals with associates by means of a social networking expertise.
The tab, which is initially accessible solely within the U.S. and Canada, will characteristic associates’ content material, together with their posts, Reels, tales, birthdays, and buddy requests.
Previously, the tab had solely supplied a spot to view your buddy requests and different “People You May Know.”
The firm in October launched a Gen Z-focused redesign of its flagship social community, hoping to draw a youthful crowd that has largely deserted or ignored Facebook in favor of different social apps, like Meta’s Instagram or TikTook. Those earlier adjustments targeted on connecting customers to group info, Facebook Groups, and video.
However, in January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated in the course of the firm’s This autumn earnings name {that a} “return to OG Facebook” was a part of his key targets for 2025.
“I believe there are loads of alternatives to make [Facebook] far more culturally influential than it’s at the moment,” he advised traders, including, “I believe a few of this can type of get again to how Facebook was initially used again within the day.”
The CEO didn’t say on the time what kind of adjustments could be in retailer, however the Friends tab replace is the primary of many that may roll out this yr.
In a weblog submit, the corporate admitted that the social community wanted to return to its roots.
“Over the years, Facebook developed to fulfill altering wants and created best-in-class experiences throughout Groups, Video, Marketplace and extra, however the magic of associates has fallen away,” the submit states.
The new Friends tab is offered by means of the navigation bar on Facebook’s Home Feed and shall be accessible by means of the Bookmarks part of the app, the corporate says.
Users may decide to pin their Friends tab to their Home Feed to make it much more handy. To achieve this, click on Settings & Privacy > Settings > Tab bar. You then can select to customise your tab bar and may pin the brand new tab there.
