This afternoon Facebook updated some users’ friend confirmations to include two check boxes. One asks you to select whether or not you’d like to have that user’s info displayed in your news feed and the other asks if you’d like to receive SMS messages. It’s a subtle change but what’s becoming increasingly clear is Facebook is trying to streamline the communication process after integrating all of Twitter’s functionality within their site.
Today’s latest move was to include privacy options with all items posted from the Facebook publisher. Interestingly enough, a lot of their other services do not yet have this functionality included. Just a couple of hours ago Facebook launched the live stream but status updates within that widget do not have similar privacy options.
It’s challenging for the company to make constant changes to its product while simultaneously streamlining communication. Once completed with their Twitter-like integration, Facebook will most likely begin focusing more heavily on simplifying things rather than making them more complicated. It has most definitely been an evolution though. The company has gone through several iterations over the past few months with much of it due to Twitter’s continued growth.
One of the new settings appears to conflict with Facebook’s focus on letting users manage their news feed through friend lists. Then again, many users were getting overwhelmed with the number of updates they were receiving. I’d argue that most users don’t want so much control. Instead, they’d prefer that Facebook automate the feed filtering process, discovering only that information which is most important to them.
According to Eric Eldon of Venturebeat, Facebook may be emphasizing highlights even more in a redesigned news feed that they’ll release in the near future. One thing is definitely clear: Facebook has not perfected the system for managing contacts, there are still changes that need to be made.
Thanks to Jim Burnell for the tip.
![[Inside Social Apps 2012]](http://www.allfacebook.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/allfacebook2/images/ISA2012_336x100_F_RegisterNow.gif)
![[AllFacebook Stats: Facebook Analytics for Your Business]](http://www.allfacebook.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/allfacebook2/images/stpro_allfacebookstats.gif)
![[How can Facebook change your business?]](http://www.allfacebook.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/allfacebook2/images/FMB_A_MAY2011_336x100_F.gif)
Twitter and facebook are two different things with two different uses. Cant facebook relax just a bit? Grrrrr.
Comment by Facebook User — June 24, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
The "Show in News Feed" is now there but no sign of the Subscribe via SMS (however it still on individual pages)
i think NOW is the time for friendreqs.php/profilereqs.php and place the applications requests on appsreqs.php (or go Notification only (for applications that already installed)
Comment by Jamie Ellis — June 24, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
Must they do everything? Good innovation tho.
Comment by Oyelaja Oyekan — June 25, 2009 @ 2:16 am
What I would love is a total facebook profile page redesign. Make the profile pic bigger and more attractive, make it all more stylish, add colors, remove the ugly advertising side column. Make the profiles a visual treat. It's lookin dated and ugly.
Comment by Johann Rodríg — June 25, 2009 @ 5:03 am
i love see the request leave friendship..who left your friendship from your group..the nxt big application..
Comment by Facebook User — June 25, 2009 @ 6:38 am
or can i leave the your group.(request to enter or Exit.)..like can i join request..
Comment by Facebook User — June 25, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Wrong direction for sms. Instead of charging receiver, they should charge sender. Like if somebody posts to friends wall, a checkbox will send sms, and this will be charged on sender – not receiver.
Comment by wrong — June 25, 2009 @ 11:44 am