Confused about the new Facebook home page? While it should be pretty easy to use, there are a number of things that have changed that you should be aware of. Whether it’s a new location for the logout link, or hidden friend lists, many users still haven’t completely figured out the way the new Facebook home page works. In this guide we explain how to use the new home page and have a complete video tutorial included at the end.
Understanding The New Facebook Home Page Design
The new Facebook layout includes some major navigational changes among other things. Whether you can’t find a link that used to be there or there are new features that you haven’t seen, there are some key components to the new Facebook Homepage. As Facebook illustrates in their new homepage tour, there are 6 core components of the new home page: requests and notifications, news feed, bookmarked applications, online friends, account privacy and settings, birthday and event reminders, and Facebook chat.
New Search Location
Facebook has moved the search from the right hand side of the navigation bar and has made it more centralized. The purpose is to make searching a core component of the Facebook navigational process. While Facebook has suggested that they will be improving their search functionality in the near future, search is already an important feature. If you are looking for friends, Pages, or just looking to search what people are talking about on Facebook, you just type in what you need in the search box.
New Logout Button
Some users are confused about the location of the new logout button. It should be pretty easy to find, but if you are still searching for it, just click on “Account” and select “Logout” from the drop-down menu.
New Notifications Location
Facebook has also moved the notifications from the lower right to the top left of the site. While Facebook will be removing notifications from applications in the next two weeks, they now show up next to your notifications and requests. You can find more about this in the video below.
Change The Number Of Friends In Your Feed
Have more than 250 friends? If so, you may not be seeing all the stories from your friends. As was the case with the previous design, you can now click on “Most Recent” in your news feed and scroll down all the way to the bottom. From there click on “Edit Options” and change the number of friends that show up in your feed by changing the number in the box located under “Number of Friends”. I’ve increased mine to 500, however you can change yours to anywhere up to 5,000.
Prevent Your Friends From Viewing Your Application Activity
One of the most important things to take note of within the new Facebook home page, is the application and games dashboards. These areas enable you to view the application activity from your friends. That means they can see your application activity as well. Anytime you visit an application, it’s extremely likely that your visit will generate a feed story within the applications dashboard. In order to prevent your friends from viewing every application you’ve visited visit the applications and websites privacy settings page and then select “Only Me” under the setting “Activity on Applications and Games Dashboards” (pictured below).
Viewing Your News Feed By Friend List
One other feature that many users have had issues with is friend lists. While friend lists have not been removed, you need to click on the “Friends” icon in the left-sidebar in order to expand friend lists. Once expanded, you can view the feeds of any friend list. According to Facebook, friend lists were partially hidden because they were a “power user” feature. You can learn about this feature and many more in the video below.
The new interface SUCKS and doesn't work! It is constantly freezing and my friends list is gone. I've tried everything and it isn't there. What is wrong with Facebook that they don't correct the numerous new bugs created by the change? I'm about to just disconnect completely.
Comment by Jeff — February 16, 2010 @ 7:53 am
When I hit "FRIENDS" I do not get what this video shows. Instead it directs me to the page where I can "find friends". I want to be able see a list of ALL MY FRIENDS so I can create more lists.
Thank you
Comment by Karina Manfredi — February 16, 2010 @ 8:25 am
The option to view 'All Friends' no longer appears. Just:-
Recently updated
Status Updates
Professional Contacts
Comment by John L — February 16, 2010 @ 8:35 am
i do not like the new home page at all.
i do not like have to go to home page to change applicaions
Comment by jodi cash — February 16, 2010 @ 9:02 am
It used to be much easier to add friends to groups.
And yes, I miss the bookmarks at the bottom that let you switch from app to app without having to go back to the homepage.
Comment by Patricia Fabricant — February 16, 2010 @ 9:51 am
Again: http://BetterFacebook.net
Makes the homepage much better.
Comment by Matt Kruse — February 16, 2010 @ 9:54 am
To see all your friends go to Account on upper right hand corner, then click on edit friends. On that page click all connections on left side of page, from there you can create your lists.
Comment by Sandy Chestnut — February 16, 2010 @ 10:09 am
My main complaint about the new home page was the hour delay in showing my friends in most recent news feed. Which was fixed by FB. Was the old layout easier and nicer to use, yes it was, but we don't pay for FB and any changes they make is their choice. They probably have a good reason to make changes. If you have ideas on how they can make it better contact them thru feedback on their help pages. Life is about changes and you learn to adapt to them. I reccomend that everyone read thru their help pages and learn how to use the site. You would be amazed how many people have no clue, before and after all changes to the layout.
Comment by Sandy Chestnut — February 16, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Karina and John, to find the friends list, click "edit friends" on the Accounts tab, then at the top of the left-hand column select "all connections." That will bring up the page with the full list of friends where you can assign them to lists. It's annoying that Facebook buried it so far down, but it is there.
Comment by RebGrL — February 16, 2010 @ 10:25 am
What annoys me the most is the notifications tab; it used to "freeze" open so I could click into each activity one by one down the list. Now it completely closes after one click. Not a huge deal, but the original way was easier for keeping track of each notification as you reviewed it.
Comment by Ally — February 16, 2010 @ 10:40 am
The new Facebook would be alright if it worked, which it doesn't. A lot of the links don't work and those that do often don't go where they are supposed to. I can't get into Farm Town or Fish World. I can't search for new groups. If this doesn't change soon, I am gone, because Facebook is becoming useless to me.
Comment by Sandra Garrett — February 16, 2010 @ 10:41 am
? then select “Only Me” under the setting “Activity on Applications and Games Dashboards” (pictured below).
THERE IS NO "Only me" OPTION THERE!
Get your facts straight!
Comment by gxg — February 16, 2010 @ 11:10 am
holy shit i love it!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by anthony grubbs — February 16, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
The video content is great but lose the background music. It makes the commentary difficult to hear and add's nothing to the message.
Comment by Stephen Fells — February 16, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
@Ally: http://BetterFacebook.net will freeze the notifications window for you and stick it in the upper right, always visible.
Comment by Matt Kruse — February 16, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
That was very helpful. I learned several things I have been struggling with. Thanks!
Comment by Debi Boody — February 16, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
I actually wouldn't mind the new FB if it worked properly. It took a couple of tries to find everything but its still all there.
For friends, go to your profile and select view all in the friends box and it gives you different options including fan pages etc.
The search functionality going down sucks and something freaky is going on with fan pages, the system seems to get stuck half way on certain things and doesn't format correctly but its just bugs.
What I don't get is why there is this need for constant change? Why not leave it alone just for a little while…..?
Comment by Danielle Dunn — February 16, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
Nope. I've trield all of the above suggestions for how to find my friends list and IT DOES NOT WORK! The list is NOT there. I don't even get the option for seeing my friends list. Worse yet, most screens I try to get to don't load completely. HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT!
Comment by Jeff — February 16, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
I want to drag my friend list to the top of news feed like before
Comment by Faizal Rahman — February 16, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
I can't search for new people. People that I KNOW are on facebook
it comes up blank and just gives a few "web" results
I mean the whole point of FB is to connect with those that you'd otherwise have a hard time finding. Every search I've put on comes up with no results. So- I'm forced to put the name in google search with the word facebook after the name- and voilà – I find their FB page.
Umm… this is a problem.
Also, there are too many " I can't stand Farmville etc. pages all on the same subject. so about 5 that I've seen so far @ farmville, mafia wars, etc. I think FB has jumped the shark.
Comment by Mel — February 16, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
Facebook makes even more difficult for independent developers to succeed with their poorly designed game and application dashboard pages. Right now, the ability for Facebook users to find interesting and promising applications is extremely and unnecessarily difficult. And it makes even more clear that they will act as "big brother" — allowing plenty of white space on the right side for "sponsored" applications.
Comment by Steven Loi — February 16, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
Actually, you can change the setting to 9999, but since you can't have more than 5000 friends, it's irrelevant
Comment by Raj Dash — February 17, 2010 @ 12:26 am
But who said we wanted change and why do we have to read a bunch of pages to work out how to use something that is supposed to be fun and relaxing…its too hard…ok you IT geeks i know you like to flash your intellegence all over the web, but the average person isnt interested…we just want to enjoy…this is not enjoyable anymore….we give you our email address which you probably sell on so this is becoming very one sided…give us back the old FB. this isnt fun anymore.
Comment by Dee — February 17, 2010 @ 3:53 am
I don't like getting all the notifications that someone commented on someone's staatus. For example a friend commented on someone's status that I am not friends with.
Comment by Facebook User — February 17, 2010 @ 4:16 am
What's up? No longer able to post pic, videos, or links to profile pages – not even mine.
Comment by DQ Slotkins — February 17, 2010 @ 5:51 am
Hmmm….new design, new rules…
Comment by bee — February 17, 2010 @ 8:13 am
You can still access your complete friends list by going to Account – Edit Friends
Comment by Facebook User — February 17, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
Oh ghaaaaad. Dry up. Select "Customize" and then "Only me". Want me to push the buttons FOR you?
Comment by Tavey Wavey — February 17, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
I have been unable to chat with my friends since the new FB was implemented. It show people out there sometimes but usually shows 0 when I click on it. It improved some lately,but only one friend is showing up that will bring up a chat box.
Comment by Avis — February 17, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THAT IN THE OLD FACEBOOK YOU USE TO BE ABLE TO 'HIDE' PICTURES (WHERE ALL FRIENDS PICTURES ARE IN THE MAIN PHOTO ALBUM ON THE LEFT), NOW YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO, IS THIS THE CASE?
Comment by Sarah — February 18, 2010 @ 7:10 am
where is the link for the pages i faned located?
Comment by natasha — February 18, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
Anyone know where recently added is for friends? I always found it a helpful feature and now I can't find it.
Comment by Matt Pritchard — February 21, 2010 @ 6:07 pm
@Matt Pritchard: go to the "Account"-menu on the top right, choose "Edit friends" and then you have "Recently added" on the left.
That is basically the old friends page, where you can also find the phonebook for example.
Comment by Facebook User — February 22, 2010 @ 1:53 am
a, and the same answer for @natasha also
The “Pages” list is on the same old Friends page.
But it’s only for managing the pages, not for following updates from them.
Comment by Facebook User — February 22, 2010 @ 5:55 am
I used to be able click on groups and see the staus updates of friends in those groups. How do I do that now?
Comment by JT — February 22, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
Hi,
I cannot register. The website is blocked. May I know how to unblock?
Thanks.
Comment by tang — February 24, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
please can anyone help me get back on to facebook i was doing fine until i tried to get in one time and it said i was giveing the wrong password i just dont know what to do i am only learning please
Comment by ritamclaughlin — February 27, 2010 @ 10:25 am
i play the game it freezing up on me
i end up cleaning the computer off
i lost the application because of that
i can not find where to sign up again
please let me now how to do it
thank you
Comment by patricia calhoun — April 10, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
I WANT TO REMOVE MYSELF FROM FACEBOOK AND I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW. I WANT ALL REMOVED, INCLUDING PROFILE.
Comment by RACHEL DIBIANCA — June 13, 2010 @ 5:49 am
I WANT TO BE REMOVED ENTIRELY FROM FACEBOOK AND CAN’T SEEM TO ACCOMPLISH IT. I WANT PROFILE AND ALL OFF OF FACEBOOK
Comment by Rachel Dibianca — June 13, 2010 @ 5:54 am
my home is blank and totally white..that is my problem..
Comment by ferlanie cirera — July 4, 2010 @ 4:19 am
THANKS TO YOUR SURVAY I CAN'T GET ON FACE BOOK,IT WON'T TAKE MY CELL PHONE NUMBER
Comment by Rusty rUSSELL — July 21, 2010 @ 1:14 pm
I'd like to join facebook but I don't know how.Please help me.Sboshy
Comment by Sboshy — July 22, 2010 @ 4:34 am
I can't even log onto facebook from my laptop!! It goes in spurts when I do finally get to log on!!! I don't know what you guys are doing but it sucks!!! The only way I am able to sign on to facebook is from my phone but even then I'm not able to do farmville or anything else!!! You guys need to pull your heads out of your butts and fix the problems or I'm with everyone else and just going to delete my profile completely!!! I used to have fun doing this but anymore I'm not even in the mood to even bother
Comment by tiffany — August 22, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
I THINK SOMEONE STOLE MY ACCOUNT
Comment by paula rankin — August 23, 2010 @ 9:46 am
I BELIEVE STOLE MY ACCONT
Comment by paula rankin — August 23, 2010 @ 9:49 am
I'd like the same thing, why aren't they responding to this need?
Comment by Jean Nicol — October 23, 2010 @ 10:15 am
when i click on the home page i have to scroll almost to the bottom of page before i see anything . and when i comment on something it's not there after i have type it . please straighten my page out .i can only write on my wall
Comment by sharon mims — November 16, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
i am sorry but my main thing is this new facebook is to complicatei cannot make comment on friends reply and the comment goes from one end of the page to the other thanks so much.
Comment by sharon mims — November 16, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
I have a problem I have both IE and Foxfire on the computer. It start first in Foxfire now it with IE too. When I go to my application there is white section on the right hand side of the screen. It make it about hard to play game and then I also cannot get to the full screen button. Does anyone know how to fix this? Btw the new setup of Facebook suck I am about to give up on it all together!!!
Comment by Sara — December 10, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
Where are my links? I have all my music videos on it.
Comment by bruce stafford — January 17, 2011 @ 1:32 pm
I still cannot find my links after reading this incredibly boring—— Where are my links they are incredibly important to me???????
Comment by Mary Beacham — January 17, 2011 @ 9:53 pm
Why have I not been able to get onto my Facebook account today. It tells me that it is "unavailable because of a site issue that should be resolved shortly". Since it has been all day, what seems to be the problem?
Comment by Carolyn — March 20, 2011 @ 7:06 pm
hOW DO YOU REMOVE A FRIEND you invited is the wrong person?
Comment by Pat Hudson — May 6, 2011 @ 11:36 am
Doesn't do much good if we can't find the info you are talking about. You need to be more specific and give the EXACT page name, etc. I couldn't find anything going by your 'directions'….
Comment by Kll — September 23, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
My facebook is blank. No link to my news feed, profile, home page. nothing
Comment by Diedra Vollmer — October 25, 2011 @ 6:16 pm
Hey this is monique
Comment by Monique Vaquera — November 28, 2011 @ 11:41 am
Atention facebook me esta hostigando y persiguiendo como un criminal de guerras Nazi, me esta obligando a que me queje en el departamento de justicia, de los estados unidos de norrte america.siceramente Rafhah
Comment by Hidalgo Rafhah — December 17, 2011 @ 11:31 am
Why can I not DELETE my old messages anymore? Every time I hit the X on the messages, all it tells me to report SPAM or REPORT. There's nothing there that states JUST REMOVE OR DELETE?
Comment by Carol — December 17, 2011 @ 2:01 pm
My facebook page is messed up ! It continues to present new problems ! A new reliable site works for me ! As soon as a new Facebook is available, I"m gone.A new site is better than a screwed up site !!!
Comment by Eddie — January 15, 2012 @ 2:34 pm
How do you remove an account from Facebook?
Comment by Doodle Lynchy — January 21, 2012 @ 8:35 am
how do I update my name
Comment by Mary — January 21, 2012 @ 3:34 pm
I want to delete facebook entries from my computer.How is this done?
Comment by woodrow smith — January 21, 2012 @ 5:18 pm