A Rundown of the Latest Facebook Updates
A Rundown of the Latest Facebook Updates
In an ever-evolving digital world, it seems even a company as notoriously successful as Facebook is having to adapt to stay relevant. The social media giant has been ramping up its changes this year across all of its platforms, including instant messaging site Messenger and Facebook-owned social media platform Instagram.
To keep you up to date, we’ve put together a list of the most notable recent changes to Facebook’s desktop and app, as well as the updates set to hit the platform soon that you can keep an eye out for.
New Desktop Design
Facebook has been rolling out a new, sleeker desktop design for months, but the design finally reaches all of its 2.7 billion active users for good this September. The familiar blue symbols will now appear in light grey along the centre of users’ desktop screens, along with a redesigned circular logo. The design is more minimalist and modern than its predecessor - more reminiscent of sites like Instagram, which has a similar focus placed on the Stories feature (now clearly centralised at the top of users’ news feeds on Facebook).
Image Credit: Facebook
Dark-Mode Switch for App
Another feature of Facebook’s new desktop design is the dark-mode switch, which switches your predominant desktop colour from white to black. You can find this by clicking on the ‘Account’ drop-down arrow icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen and flicking it to dark-mode. Facebook is also testing a dark-mode switch for its app, a feature which Messenger already has. Instagram can also be viewed in dark-mode (it conforms to either light or dark-mode depending on the settings chosen on your device), so Facebook is running a little behind the times with this feature.
In-App Facebook Shops
After scoring success with Instagram Shops, Facebook has announced that it is launching its own shopping tool, Facebook Shops, within the Facebook app. The feature will enable app users to find products directly from the brands they like, as well as discover new brands that Facebook will suggest based on users’ interests. The social media giant will also be including a collection of new tools for businesses using Facebook Shops, including new design layouts and, in future, the ability for customers to earn rewards through loyalty schemes. The feature will also integrate with other Facebook-owned platforms, including Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram.
Image Credit: Facebook
Find out more about whether your Page is eligible and how Shops could help your business here.
The Educator Hub
Facebook has seized the digitalization of the education sector, accelerated of course by the global pandemic, to launch its one of its newest platforms: ‘the Educator Hub’. The initiative is designed to help teachers, parents and students access educational resources and communication tools more easily. It will also include community wellness resources, a range of anti-racism resources and Instagram wellness guides, in an effort to improve equality and the mental health of students and education sector workers during these difficult times.
Learn more about Facebook’s new Educator Hub here.
Image Credit: Facebook Educator Hub
Facebook Paid Events
Facebook’s new Paid Events feature is a new way of monetising your live online events. Through a one-off access charge, which is collected when guests register to attend, your Page can host events through Facebook while also making money. The initiative is another example of Facebook utilizing the ‘new normal’ to expand the platform and attempt to help industries impacted by the pandemic.
Check out SocialDay’s guide to setting up and using Facebook Paid Events here.
Messenger: App Lock & Privacy Settings
Last month, Facebook announced that it was introducing its new privacy feature ‘App Lock’ to its instant messaging app Messenger. App Lock uses your device’s existing privacy settings, like fingerprint or face authentication, to allow users to add another layer of security to their Messenger app. You can find the App Lock feature and review your privacy settings in the dedicated Privacy section of your account.
Image Credit: Facebook Messenger
Messenger: Screen Sharing & Going Live in Rooms
Last month, following in the footsteps of video call platforms like Zoom, Facebook introduced a new screen-sharing feature to Messenger. This feature allows users to share what is on their screen live with the users they are calling. Screen sharing is also available in Messenger Rooms, with Facebook working to allow sharing between up to 50 users, as well as providing increased controls over who can share their screen.
Image Credit: Facebook Messenger
You’ll also be able to go live from Facebook Rooms. The room creator will control a live broadcast, including control over where the Room is shared on Facebook, who can view the broadcast and who is invited to participate, as well as the ability to lock and unlock the room at any time.
Image Credit: Facebook
SocialDay’s Social Media Round-Up
Of course, Facebook always has something new up its sleeve, so make sure to keep an eye on SocialDay’s weekly Social Media Round-Up for further updates!