Facebook launches a Gen Z-focused redesign
Facebook wants to woo more younger users to join its social network, instead of spending all their time on TikTok, Instagram, and other social apps.
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Facebook wants to woo more younger users to join its social network, instead of spending all their time on TikTok, Instagram, and other social apps.
The New "Local" Tab
Facebook is introducing a new tab called "Local" that will pull in local content from across platforms like Marketplace, Groups, and Events into a single section. This tab will initially be available in testing in select U.S. cities, including Austin, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Phoenix.
The Local tab will provide users with a centralized hub for finding local content, such as:
This change is aimed at making Facebook more appealing to users who want to connect with their local community or find local events and activities.
The Swipeable Local Section
In addition to the Local tab, Facebook will also highlight a user's local community in other ways on the platform. A new, swipeable section will appear in the user's Facebook Feed, showcasing interesting posts and information from the area.
This section will include:
The swipeable section will allow users to easily browse and discover local content, making it easier to find and connect with others in their community.
The New "Explore" Tab
Facebook is introducing a new "Explore" tab that will be focused on personalized recommendations. This section will be powered by an algorithm that will surface content that entertains, as well as connects users to interests, even if they're narrowly defined.
The Explore tab will be a prominent feature of the redesigned app, becoming the fifth button on the bottom navigation bar on iOS (top bar on Android).
The Explore tab will feature two main sections:
The Explore tab is aimed at providing users with a more personalized experience, where they can discover new content and connect with others who share similar interests.
The Updated video Tab
Facebook is updating its Video tab to offer a full-screen video player that will allow users to watch short-form, long-form, and live videos in one place. This will give reels a more prominent place on Facebook, the company notes, and reflects the use of video by younger users.
The updated Video tab will also feature:
This change is aimed at making Facebook more appealing to users who want to watch videos, and providing a more seamless experience for users who prefer to consume video content on the platform.
The Updated Facebook Events and Groups
Facebook Events and Groups are being updated to provide users with a more streamlined experience.
Facebook Events will receive an upgrade by offering users both a Weekly and Weekend Digest of upcoming events based on their interests. These will come via a Facebook notification, the company says.
Users will also be able to invite Instagram followers to events created on Facebook, as well as via SMS and email invites to those who have not registered an account on the site.
The updated Facebook Groups feature will include:
The Groups update in particular targets a major area of Facebook for the next generation, as Groups nOW attract a large number of users.
The New "Matchmaker" Feature on Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating will add a "Matchmaker" feature that will allow up to 5 friends to swipe through potential matches for you. The company says this feature was introduced because Facebook Dating conversations had increased 24% year-over-year among young adults in the U.S. and Canada.
The Matchmaker feature is aimed at providing users with a more social and interactive experience on Facebook Dating, and helping to increase the number of users who use the platform.
The New Meta AI-Powered "Imagine Yourself" Image-Generation Feature
Facebook is integrating a new Meta AI-powered "Imagine Yourself" image-generation feature into its platform. This feature will allow users to generate custom images based on their interests and preferences.
The "Imagine Yourself" feature will be available on Facebook's Feed, stories, and on the user's profile page, as previously announced.
The New AI Comment Summaries
Facebook is rolling out AI comment summaries across public Groups, Pages, and Creators. These summaries will provide users with a quick and easy way to understand the context and meaning of comments, without having to read the entire comment thread.
While AI comment summaries may be helpful for some users, they may also detract from the more engaging and interactive experience of scrolling through comment Threads.
Overall, the changes that Facebook is making to its platform aim to make the network more appealing to the next generation of users, who use the site in a different way than the young adults who first joined the site in their youth, and are NOW approaching middle age.
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