Weekly Prompt: The OG Facebook is back and other news

Meta revives ‘OG Facebook’ with new Friends Tab

Meta has announced a new update to Facebook, reintroducing a dedicated feed that exclusively displays content from a user’s friends. The new “Friends Tab” marks a return to the platform’s original focus on personal connections, reflecting what CEO Mark Zuckerberg has referred to as the “OG Facebook” experience.

The update, rolled out on Thursday, is currently available to users in the United States and Canada. It allows users to view a separate stream of posts from friends and family, without the inclusion of recommended content from creators, brands or businesses. The tab replaces a previous feature that displayed friend requests and suggestions.

Meta stated that while Facebook has evolved over time to support features such as Groups, Video and Marketplace, the focus on personal connection had diminished. The new feature is intended to reintroduce what the company described as “the magic of friends.”

Zuckerberg and Facebook app head Tom Alison have both spoken about their desire to revisit the social aspects that originally defined the platform. Although the Friends Tab is not expected to surpass the main Home feed — which continues to feature algorithmically recommended content — it forms part of a broader plan to restore older elements of Facebook.

Further “OG” experiences are expected to be introduced later this year as part of Meta’s effort to make social media feel more personal once again. The move comes amid broader industry trends that have seen platforms shift towards content from creators and influencers rather than personal networks.

Sources: Business Insider, New York Times

Additional prompts

Instagram adds 2x playback speed option for Reels. Instagram has launched a global update allowing users to watch Reels at double speed. The 2x playback option, available from today, has been widely requested and offers users more control over their viewing experience. To activate it, users can long-press the left or right edge of the screen during playback. While Reels were originally short clips, Instagram extended their maximum length to three minutes in January, increasing the potential benefit of faster viewing. There are currently no other playback speed options. Instagram says the feature aims to help users engage more flexibly with content they enjoy. Read more on Social Media Today

TikTok Shop expands into France, Germany and Italy. TikTok has officially launched its e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, in France, Germany and Italy, continuing its European expansion. The move comes as the platform faces regulatory uncertainty in the United States. TikTok Shop, first introduced in the UK in 2021, is now working with merchants across the three new markets. Retailers such as Carrefour in France and AboutYou in Germany are set to join. The company aims to broaden its product range and include more European luxury brands. Read more on MediaPost

YouTube updates Shorts view count method. YouTube is changing how views are counted on YouTube Shorts, starting 31 March. Instead of counting only views that last a certain number of seconds, a view will now be recorded each time a Short starts to play or replay. The update is designed to give creators a clearer picture of their reach and better align YouTube’s metrics with platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The original metric, now called “engaged views,” will remain available in Advanced Mode and will still determine earnings and eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program. View counts are expected to increase under the new system. Read more on TechCrunch