The changes that went along with the official beta release of Facebook Questions today make it slightly more difficult for users to write a regular status update. For users who have beta access to Facebook Questions, the old status update box is gone and it now takes two clicks to write a status update.
The new publisher tool gives users four tabs across the top – Update status, Ask question, Add photos and Post link. To write a status update, you now need to first click ‘Update status’, then write your status and submit.
The status will then appear in your timeline and friends’ news feeds but it will no longer appear next to your name on your profile page.
Similarly, it now takes two clicks to write on someone’s wall.
The status update has long been a core part of the Facebook experience, forming the backbone of the news feed on users’ home pages. It remains to be seen whether the additional step will discourage users from updating their statuses or not.
I tend to use my phone for status updates, leaving the other types (links etc.) for when I'm at home, so maybe not such a big inconvenience. I'll have to wait and see.
Comment by Alistair McIndoe — July 28, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Seems like a rather dumb move, but Facebook always has a reason for any change they make.
Comment by Kelly Shane Pickell — July 28, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
I was just discussing this with @Journik, users think in terms of ROC: 'return on clicks'. Is the process or outcome worth multiple clicks? If you make it too complicated you may lose participation.
Comment by Brittany Laughlin — July 28, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
OH NO!! 2 CLICKS??! Whatever next?!
Comment by Bob — July 28, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
I was just on FB and I was able to update my status by clicking in the box to type, then click send. This is how I have always done it, nothing new. The only difference that I have noticed lately is that when I type or paste a link into my message, it automatically becomes an attachment. I don't like having it identified separately below my message, but, oh well.
Comment by Sue — July 28, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
It is not showing on my profile…. When will FB Beta release???
Comment by Amardeep Yadav — July 28, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Not a big deal, it now emphasises the 4 different types of statuses, so I am pretty cool with that, I even suggest captcha so we can have a bit more meaningful statuses
Comment by Martin — July 28, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Definitely something that will kill the spontaneity of status updates, making them more deliberate. While this will reduce the free flow of concepts, it will also offer a safety buffer for some of the less-appealing thoughts(consider how many people's jobs would've been saved if they had to think about posting "MY BOSS IS A FAG" before they actually did it.)
Not a fan of this change, but it does have it's merits.
Comment by mmm — July 28, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
can we not tag people in our status' anymore? nobody i know with the new changes can. can any of you?
Comment by vanessa — July 29, 2010 @ 12:00 am
As far as I know, updating my status already took two clicks: one click in the text box and another to submit the update.
The difference now is that the text box is hidden, so having to click to make it appear might reduce participation. But if you break it down, the number of clicks hasn't changed.
Comment by Max — July 29, 2010 @ 1:21 am
Unfortunately, for those who use Facebook Fan Pages, this move by Facebook is very detrimental.
When a fan clicks on 'Ask a Question' they are taken off of the Fan Page and onto a Facebook questions section. The questions never show up on the Fan Page. The fan ends up on Facebook's new question section.
In other words, instead of helping Fan retention, this drives traffic away from the Fan Page.
Carl
socialmediapathways.com
Comment by Carl — July 29, 2010 @ 4:01 am
Really?
Comment by Paul Eulette — July 29, 2010 @ 4:25 am
I don't really mind the two clicks, but I do find myself wondering how these various options are weighted differently in feeds. Is a link the "same" as a status update vis-a-vis the way it hits the system that regulates the flow of content onto the feeds?
Status updates have always been light and on-the-fly; that's been some of the fun of Facebook over the years. We'll see how this changes things.
I had some thoughts on Questions – namely that I'd never asked for them
. I wrote about that here http://bit.ly/aOlPmC
Comment by Ellen Petry Leanse — July 29, 2010 @ 7:43 am
As a page admin, I find it very annoying. Especially now that they also seems to have removed the ability to link to other pages and profiles with the "@" sign. That used to be a great way to notify other page managers that you're mentioning them, but now it's gone. As usual, facebook didn't consult with any of its top page admins to see how these changes would affect people in the real world.
Dealing with facebook is like dealing with an incompetent version of Microsoft–all of the arrogance and none of the ability. As an admin on many different high-profile pages, I can't wait until there's an alternative.
Comment by Savanah Brentnall — July 29, 2010 @ 8:44 am
Tagging in status messages is gone now AND posting pictures of pages doesn't seem to work either. So much for functionality!
Comment by Dayngr — July 29, 2010 @ 9:07 am
@Sue The changes are only available to people who have the Facebook Questions beta service. You'll likely see it soon.
Comment by Caitlin Fitzsimmons — July 29, 2010 @ 10:44 am
I am less concerned about two clicks, but I'd like the option to comment, add a link (or pic or whatever) and then send my message. Now I only have an either/or choice. Bastages.
Comment by alfreeland — July 29, 2010 @ 11:17 am
I admin several big pages too, and one of the features I miss (in addition to the tagging, mentioned earlier) is the ability to geo-target posts. This was a huge opportunity for Facebook, and I'm surprised that functionality has been taken away with the new layout. That one is mystifying to me. Why take away the ability to target, say, only the people in the U.S.?
Comment by Kevin Dando — July 29, 2010 @ 11:49 pm
ok so this is update ..nd i think that it is problem with my net thats y i require two click
Comment by Nick — April 23, 2011 @ 2:16 am
We can not tag people in our status as "the most? anyone know the new changes can be. Those of you?
Comment by Web Design Melbourne — August 16, 2011 @ 2:01 am
i have done all with my phone, not on a apple..
Comment by dotgolf — October 19, 2011 @ 4:54 am
It's going to be a problem for the lazy ones
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Comment by Movers Packers — January 11, 2012 @ 6:01 am
Only two clicks?!That's cool!
Comment by Willsher M — January 12, 2012 @ 11:03 am