Facebook has introduced a redesigned ‘Friends’ tab aimed at simplifying how users connect with their personal network.
According to its latest blog post, the company is prioritising friendships and connectivity. The feature will initially launch in the United States and Canada, with plans for a broader rollout in the future.
Bringing back the ‘OG’ Facebook experience
Since its inception, Facebook has been a platform for social connection, but over the years, its focus has shifted towards features like Groups, Video, and Marketplace. Acknowledging that the core element of friendship has somewhat diminished, the company has announced its intention to reintroduce several classic experiences throughout the year, starting with the updated Friends tab.
A more personalised ‘Friends’ tab
The new Friends tab aims to streamline the way users interact with their network by offering a dedicated space for content from their friends. Unlike its previous function, which centred around friend requests and suggested connections, the updated tab will now showcase stories, reels, posts, birthdays, and friend requests exclusively from friends.
Facebook has positioned the feature prominently in the navigation bar on the home feed, ensuring easy access. Additionally, users can find it within the Bookmarks section of the app and even pin it for more convenient access by navigating through their settings.
How to pin the Friends tab
Users who wish to pin the Friends tab can do so by following these steps:
- Click on their profile picture in the home feed.
- Select ‘Settings & Privacy,’ followed by ‘Settings’ and then ‘Tab bar.’
- Customise the tab bar and pin the ‘Friends’ tab for quick access.
A more social future for Facebook
Facebook has stated that this is just the beginning of a broader effort to make the platform feel more social once again. The company has promised to introduce additional features throughout the year that will further encourage personal connections and engagement.
