Facebook News Feed Changes: More Control Over What You See

Facebook Introduces New News Feed Controls

Facebook revealed on Thursday the initiation of a testing phase designed to grant users increased agency over the content displayed within their feeds.

Expanded Control Options

This test, currently available to Facebook app users who communicate in English, introduces three new sub-menus within the existing News Feed management settings. These menus categorize content originating from friends and family, groups and pages, and public figures.

Users participating in the test will have the ability to adjust the proportion of posts from each of these sources appearing in their feed. They can select a “normal” ratio or opt for a greater or lesser emphasis, aligning with their individual preferences.

Topic Preferences

Furthermore, test participants can refine their content experience by specifying topics of interest or indicating subjects they wish to see less frequently. This granular control allows for a more personalized News Feed.

According to a statement released by Facebook, this initial test will impact a limited global audience. Expansion to a wider user base is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Advertiser Control Over Content Placement

Alongside these user-facing changes, Facebook is broadening a tool available to advertisers. This enhancement allows advertisers to exclude their advertisements from appearing alongside content related to specific topic domains.

Brands can now choose to opt out of having their ads displayed next to content categorized as “news and politics,” “social issues,” or “crime and tragedy.” The company clarified that ads will not be shown to users recently interacting with these topics.

Addressing Algorithmic Concerns

Facebook’s algorithms have faced criticism for potentially amplifying inflammatory content and the spread of misinformation. This has led to increased scrutiny and regulatory pressure on both Facebook and its parent company, Meta.

Calls for greater platform transparency and user control are growing, particularly as legislative bodies consider potential solutions. Facebook may be attempting to proactively address these concerns through self-regulation.

Whistleblower Testimony

Recent testimony from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen before Congress highlighted the potential dangers associated with the platform’s opaque algorithmic processes, especially in less-monitored international markets.

Even within the U.S. and Europe, the prioritization of engagement within Facebook’s News Feed ranking systems has been linked to the proliferation of divisive and politically charged content.

Engagement vs. Emotional Impact

Haugen explained that the algorithm’s focus on engagement can inadvertently promote content that elicits strong emotional responses. “Content that is hateful, that is divisive, that is polarizing — it’s easier to inspire people to anger than it is to other emotions,” she stated in a recent interview.