Facebook Launches "Save"

Scrolling through my Facebook feed, I always come across interesting sounding headlines.  But, when I'm just in the mood for some light internet-feed stalking, I don't want, or have time to, read huge long articles.

There are several apps to handle this type of situation.  Most notably, Pocket (with over 12 million users) and Instapaper.  These "read-it-later" apps let you tap to archive an article and come back to it when you have more time.

Well, now they have a bit more competition.  Facebook has launched "Save", a feature within the app that lets you add these articles to a folder for access at a later time.  Yes, just like Pocket, Instapaper AND the tested version of Save that Facebook tried back in 2012.  

Not sure what has taken Facebook so long to release this feature.  The company bought "Spool" (a startup that does this exact thing) two years ago, and it seems like a natural feature especially since there has been such a rise in articles posted on the news feed.

But, better late than never, I guess!  This is one feature that I will start using asap! Do you have a ton of articles you want to stockpile? What do you think of Facebook's newest feature release?

Will Facebook’s AutoPlay Videos Alienate Users?

Doesn’t it seem like every time Facebook makes a big change or announcement, people are up in arms about it? 

Well this week's news is no different!

Facebook confirmed Tuesday that it is rolling out video advertisements within users' News Feeds that will auto play on desktop and mobile.  

Yeah, kinda weird right?  So all of a sudden you are getting your daily updates from friend statuses and pics and then a random ad starts playing in your News Feed.  

It sounds annoying to me, and not what I want in my News Feed.  And I’m not alone.  Mashable has put out a flash poll and found 90% of people dissatisfied with this announcement.  Even more suprising is that almost 60% of people claim to hate it so much they would be willing to leave Facebook!

Now I highly doubt Facebook is going to lose that many of its users, but this certainly will change up your typical Facebook experience.  The company has been trying all different kinds of things to generate revenue through the otherwise free site.  Anything from paying for “stickers”, gifting to friends and the ever popular Facebook Ad.  These auto-play videos, though, are certainly the most aggressive of all the attempts.  

Do you think the ads will alienate Facebook users?  What do you think of them?

What You Need to Know About The New Facebook Change!

So, Facebook's latest News Feed changes - of course - are news all over. Anytime Facebook makes a large change like this, some people love it and some hate it. Remember the ruckus people put up about switching over to Timeline?

 

But, let's face it, most of these changes are here to stay no matter how we feel about it. So, might as well make the best of it! And here is how: one key factor to help your company make the most of the new Facebook News Feed!

First, you need to understand the difference in the update. Basically, Facebook is making its site more analogous to a newspaper. Before, the News Feed contained all possible news and updates from your social circles all smashed together into the same feed. Well, now, different sections will be separated, creating what Facebook is touting as a "personalized newspaper". (Um, hello, sound like my fav Flipboard app to anyone else!!??)

So, like a newspaper, the new Facebook feed might still show you the "biggest news" all in one place (think, front page news), and then section out other updates, such as "Likes" (classifieds), "Status Updates" (editorials), etc.

The new challenge will be to get your company's content OUT of the "Likes" category and onto the main New Feed! Or, to follow the newspaper analogy, out of the "Classifieds" section and onto the "Front Page News"!

Now, how to do this. Take a note from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who shared at Facebook's press event that over HALF of the content in the main News Feed comprises photos and videos. Why? Easy! People like to view and share photos and videos! It's not enough to get someone to "Like" your page, you need to create engaging, high-quality pictures or videos for your company.

So, stop worrying about the new feed and start planning how you can use this opportunity to better engage your customers! Your Facebook status is depending on it!