Facebook Hides Like Button As Part Of Cleaner, Simpler Redesign For Pages
Image via Allmy / Shutterstock.com
Facebook has hidden one of the most prominent metrics of engagement, likes, in a new makeover for pages that promises a more streamlined experience.
In place of the like button and count, the social network is instead showcasing followers, people who can receive updates from the page. Facebook reasoned on Wednesday that the follower count is a more reliable indicator of a company or public figure’s influence.
Click to view enlarged version
Click to view enlarged version. Image via Facebook
In addition, Facebook has overhauled pages to appear simpler and more intuitive, allowing users to view bios, posts, and other important details more conveniently. Page administrators can also easily switch between their personal profiles and public pages.
Despite decluttering the pages interface, Facebook has also introduced a set of new features to boost interactions, such as disappearing videos and photos, as well as the ability to host Q&As.
Managing a page is also easier now, with a new option to allow specific and varying levels of permissions for admins. For instance, you can grant an administrator access only to insights and ad controls, while another will handle community activity and messages.
Click to view enlarged version
Click to view enlarged version. Image via Facebook
Facebook has also trained its algorithm to better detect activity that goes against its guidelines, such as “hate speech, violent, sexual or spammy content and impersonation.”
The company is now exploring ways to “expand the visibility of a verified badge” to help users distinguish posts and comments from official pages and profiles. One solution it has come up with is to push the comments of verified pages to the top of another page’s comments section, so they won’t get lost among spam.
These additions are just the tip of the iceberg. Facebook teases that it will introduce more changes to the page experience “in the upcoming months.”
[via CNET and Facebook, images via various sources]
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