Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Facebook.
Erin Scott | Reuters
Facebook is introducing a feature to make it easier for users to choose what content to display in their news feed.
The feature known as the Feed Filter Bar was announced on Wednesday. Instead of just relying on Facebook’s algorithms to determine what they see, users can now switch between viewing algorithmically ranked content, the latest posts, and updates from their favorite friends and pages they follow.
While Facebook already allows users to view their feed for the latest posts or posts made by top friends, those options are buried deep within the app and hard to find. The supply filter strip makes them easily visible.
The feature will be available to Android users on Wednesday and will be available to iOS users “in the coming weeks,” Facebook said.
The new feature was announced in a 5,000-word essay published by Nick Clegg, Facebook vice president of global affairs and communications. The article was titled “You and the Algorithm: Tango Takes Two.”
Facebook also plans to give users more ways to understand why content is showing up on their feed. This includes a “Why am I seeing this?” Function similar to a function that allows people to see why they are being shown an ad.
The company will also launch additional information centers to “show users relevant information in more areas where there is clear societal benefit,” said Clegg. In 2020, Facebook launched hubs to provide users with accurate information on Covid-19, the 2020 US elections, and climate change. Clegg said a Racial Justice Center will come this year.
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