Facebook debuts a revamped Friends tab as part of its return to ‘OG’ Facebook

After teasing a return to “OG Facebook” earlier this year, the social community on Thursday introduced an replace that may give customers a easy technique to join with buddies. The corporate is introducing a brand new Fb Associates tab that may solely showcase updates from buddies, with out every other really useful content material. Meta explains in a weblog submit that the thought is to carry again options centered on Fb’s authentic mission of connecting individuals with buddies by means of a social networking expertise.

The tab, which is initially out there solely within the U.S. and Canada, will function buddies’ content material, together with their posts, Reels, tales, birthdays, and pal requests.

Beforehand, the tab had solely offered a spot to view your pal requests and different “Folks You Might Know.”

The corporate in October launched a Gen Z-focused redesign of its flagship social community, hoping to draw a youthful crowd that has largely deserted or ignored Fb in favor of different social apps, like Meta’s Instagram or TikTok. These earlier adjustments centered on connecting customers to neighborhood data, Fb Teams, and video.

Nonetheless, in January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated through the firm’s This fall earnings name {that a} “return to OG Fb” was a part of his key objectives for 2025.

“I feel there are loads of alternatives to make [Facebook] far more culturally influential than it’s at the moment,” he instructed buyers, including, “I feel a few of this may type of get again to how Fb was initially used again within the day.”

The CEO didn’t say on the time what kind of adjustments can be in retailer, however the Associates tab replace is the primary of many that may roll out this 12 months.

In a blog post, the corporate admitted that the social community wanted to return to its roots.

“Through the years, Fb developed to satisfy altering wants and created best-in-class experiences throughout Teams, Video, Market and extra, however the magic of buddies has fallen away,” the submit states.

The brand new Associates tab is out there by means of the navigation bar on Fb’s Residence Feed and might be accessible by means of the Bookmarks part of the app, the corporate says.

Customers can even choose to pin their Associates tab to their Residence Feed to make it much more handy. To take action, click on Settings & Privateness > Settings > Tab bar. You then can select to customise your tab bar and may pin the brand new tab there.