The social media giant Facebook has introduced a new tab called “Friends,” aiming to enhance users’ interactions with their friends. This step is part of the platform’s strategy to return to the old user experience called “Original Facebook.”

The new “Friends” tab separates itself from the dominant feed of suggested content by offering a design that only shows your friends’ content. Through this tab, users will be able to see only their friends’ posts, stories, and Reels videos; they can also manage birthday reminders and friend requests from here.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR USERS?

This new “Friends” tab from Facebook represents a significant step towards focusing more on personal connections in the social media platform. Users will now be able to see only their friends’ posts in a space free from complex algorithms and recommended content. This feature aims to enhance interpersonal interactions and facilitate users in establishing more meaningful connections. An algorithm-independent experience allows users to have more control over their timelines while also supporting posts to become more intimate and personalized. Integrating birthday reminders and friend requests into this tab makes the social media experience manageable and organized. By highlighting users’ relationships with those they truly care about, this structure has the potential to improve social media consumption habits. Additionally, the structure of the “Friends” tab, free from recommended content, could be a solution to minimize the sometimes criticized “distracting” aspects of social media. Consequently, users can focus on more meaningful content and experience their digital social lives on a more personal level.

WHERE IS IT AVAILABLE?

Currently launched only in the United States and Canada, this innovation is expected to reach a broader user base throughout 2025. Facebook has announced plans to reintroduce other “Original Facebook” features in the future.