Member Article

Facebook updates Newsfeed

So when Facebook announced they were updating their Newsfeed, I wondered if we would actually notice the change, whether it would be completely different or practically the same as it is now. Or would it be like the introduction of Timeline, would they take a completely new approach?

During a press event, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “The news feed is one of the most important things we’ve built. The stories around you deserve to be displayed with more than just text. How we’re all sharing is changing and the news feed needs to evolve with those changes. This is the evolving face of news feed.”

So would users love or hate the new changes?

So with a complete rehaul, I was really surprised with the use of imagery and how consistent Facebook now is across platforms. Whether you view Facebook on your desktop or mobile, it is like for like, just a smaller version. Perhaps the acquisition of Instagram has something to do with their new approach but for me it really works. Reducing clutter and focusing more on stories from the people I care about, I believe this could really be a game changer.

So how will this benefit businesses?

I was concerned with the announcement of these changes the affect it could have on business pages. However, when I looked into this closely I feel it is the complete opposite and is a fantastic opportunity for pages.

What is great about the new look is the introduction of new feeds for users to explore in addition to the one we have today. Facebook have created several feeds including feeds for photos, music and following. Giving the latest news from pages, individuals you like and people you follow, the new ‘Following’ feed means content from your page will be exposed to all of your followers in chronological order.

Businesses can be a lot more creative with their posts on their Page especially since the news feed has moved from three columns to two with each page post becoming bolder and more visually appealing. Images and videos are a substantial size now, where “check ins” and “likes” are more apparent. Additionally, users are able to mark a post as a “top post” and save it for later.

Changes have also been made to Facebook Ads as they will now become larger and much more noticeable. Vibrant in colour, they could be misinterpreted as an update for users who are not following your company page which may lead to more clicks and customers.

Great emphasis on sharing means when your article is shared a bigger picture and lengthier introduction summary with the logo will be shown. Shared stories will also show how many different people share the post and what they said about it.

These are just a few of the benefits that will help with user engagement. People are more likely to come across your stories and the more visual you can make them the better. With the new Following feed, people will be able to discover more content, giving your message more distribution. Being aware of these changes can help you adapt to stay ahead of the game and help engage with your audience better. My tip? Be visual and make sure you represent your brand!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katrina Brownless .