Facebook doesn't have it easy: the average age of its users is slipping higher and higher, the meta share is weakening, and apps like the very successful TikTok are more popular in terms of download numbers alone than the "platform for old people" (yes, I have that I was literally told that). Now, according to an internal memo from the end of April, Facebook will soon look younger by becoming more like TikTok.

The internal memo

The Verge has an internal memo in which Facebook meta manager Tom Alison reveals a plan for future changes to the platform:

Instead of favoring posts from accounts that users follow, Facebook's main feed, like TikTok, will start recommending posts regardless of where they come from. And years after Messenger and Facebook split up as separate apps, the two are merging again, mimicking TikTok's messaging functionality.

Instagram has already changed its focus on so-called Reels, and now those responsible are hoping that similar changes on Facebook will possibly attract young people to the platform again. Meta sees TikTok as an increasing threat to its own social network, which is why, for example, the introduction of a special tab for watching friends' videos is coming into focus.

What the “new Facebook” should look like

  • The main tab will be a mix of Stories and Reels at the top
  • This is followed by posts that recommend the so-called “Discovery Engine” from Facebook and Instagram
  • The Messenger inbox is in the top right corner of the app

The separation of Facebook and Messenger will be reversed after eight years. In addition, you will see fewer posts and recommendations from friends, but more posts that are recommended by an algorithm based on your own user behavior and popularity.

Way out of extreme bubbles? Doubtful!

Since recommendations and contributions from friends were previously mostly displayed, opinion bubbles developed: For example, many users were only shown contributions and articles from politically extreme directions, which meant that it was hardly possible to form an objective opinion.

The new algorithm is now supposed to counteract this, but the description leaves us in doubt: If the algorithm recommends similar videos and posts, this means that it also shows more extreme, for example racist or inflammatory posts and videos - only then not from friends, but from strangers, which tends to reinforce such an opinion bubble.

So it will be interesting to see if and when these changes will be introduced… and whether they will bring the success Facebook is hoping for.

Article image: Unsplash

Further sources: The Verge , t-online , heise

Also interesting:

Meta: Social Media Atlas 2022: Study on the use of social media highlights the reach, strengths and weaknesses of the three platforms.
Meta vs Meta vs Meta: This is how Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram compare to each other


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )