Facebook is taking a nostalgic turn! Meta has recently announced an update to the Friends
tab, aiming to bring back the essence of the social network. From now on, this section will no longer show recommended content but will exclusively display posts, stories, and Reels from Facebook friends, along with birthdays and friend requests.
Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott has donated over $19 billion to charity in just five years
Diamond batteries powered by nuclear waste promise 28,000 years of clean energy
A Return to Old School Facebook?
This update is part of a broader initiative by Mark Zuckerberg to recapture the original joy of Facebook
, as he declared in January. This feature effectively blocks algorithms that promote external content: Meta appears to be refocusing on interactions among close connections, rather than on the passive consumption of suggested videos and posts.
This tab is accessible from the app’s menu and can be pinned for quicker access. However, for now, only users in the United States and Canada can use it.
Addressing the Criticism
For years, Facebook has been criticized for drifting away from its core by emphasizing viral content and algorithmic recommendations at the expense of posts from friends and family. This update may be an attempt to win back long-time users who yearn for a more personal Facebook experience.
The update also comes amid broader changes, such as the return to the classic blue Messenger logo in March 2025, moving away from the recent gradient logo. Additionally, there’s a gradual end to Meta’s inclusion policy, with a pivot towards emphasizing masculine energy
(questionable…).
A Simple Test or a Major Shift?
It remains to be seen whether this new tab will be rolled out to other countries and if this back-to-basics strategy will appeal to users and convince them to stay. With the rising popularity of Instagram, the competition from TikTok, and new social trends, can Facebook in 2025 truly return to its roots?