SOCIAL MEDIA + YOU

Most of you should have the new facebook interface, and it’s sending users into a frenzy via status updates…

Here’s the deal: this isn’t the first time facebook has changed it’s interface, and it’s not the last time. Every time they change, we say we hate them, but we continue to utilize their free service, and we forget about the change within a few days. 

I’ve compiled a little guide to help you navigate through some of facebook’s most recent changes:

I’ve received a lot of questions about the “unsubscribe” feature:

If I “unsubscribe from Tiffany” does that mean I’m unfriending her? And will she see that I’ve unsubscribed from her?

No and No. Remember how you used to “hide” everyone in your newsfeed? Now you “unsubscribe” from their updates. “Hide” and “unsubscribe” are interchangeable. Your friends didn’t see when you hid their updates in your newsfeed, and they won’t see when you unsubscribe either. 

What does it mean if I mark a post a top story?

The upper lefthand corner of the posts in your newsfeed can be “marked as a top story”. If you highlight that corner and mark it, you will receive more updates from that friend. It means that you like that person more than the others on your newsfeed (this is the opposite of “unsubscribe”).

How did facebook compile these lists on my profile?

Facebook has a complex algorithm set up to help them determine who you are like on their site. I have VCHS as my high school. If my friends on facebook have also listed VCHS as their high school, they will show up in this list. Likewise with family and my place of work.

Close Friends are determined by the people I interact most with on facebook.

You can add or subtract to these lists as you please. Read a more extensive description of Lists here. 

What is this thing that follows me around everywhere while I’m snooping around on my newsfeed?

You may have noticed this box full of status updates that follows you around as you scroll around on the facebook homepage. This is facebook’s way of keeping you in the know at all times. Never again will you miss an update, because they will follow you around wherever you go.

All of my notifications have turned into updates about my closest friends.

Facebook really wants to make sure you never miss a post from one of your closest friends again. Rather than send you an e-mail, they just send you a notification every time one of your closest friends posts something. You can turn this off though.

Go to Close friends > Notifications. 

Check “off” and you won’t receive those notifications anymore. Boom.

What do you think about the new update? Do you have any questions about features not mentioned in this post? Send me your thoughts on Twitter @SMplusYOU or @rachelhiguera.