In a move to reconnect users with the platform’s original purpose, Facebook has unveiled a redesigned Friends tab aimed at simplifying social connections. This update, part of Meta’s broader initiative to revive the “OG Facebook” experience, focuses exclusively on content shared by friends—removing algorithm-driven recommendations, ads, and unrelated posts. The tab is now available to users in the U.S. and Canada, with plans for a global rollout later this year.
The revamped Friends tab consolidates posts, Reels, stories, birthdays, and friend requests into a single feed, replacing the previous version that primarily highlighted friend suggestions. This shift aligns with Meta’s acknowledgment that Facebook had drifted from its core mission of fostering personal connections. A company blog post stated, “While we expanded into Groups, Video, and Marketplace, the magic of friends faded. Now, we’re bringing it back to the forefront.”
This update follows a series of changes over the past year, including a Gen Z-focused redesign in October 2024 that emphasized community features and short-form video. However, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized during a recent earnings call that prioritizing authentic social interactions remains critical. “Our goal is to make Facebook culturally influential again by revisiting what made it special in its early days,” he told investors.
To access the Friends tab, users can navigate via the Home Feed’s menu or the Bookmarks section. For quicker access, Facebook now allows pinning the tab to the Home Feed’s navigation bar. To customize this:
- Open Settings & Privacy in the Facebook app
- Select Settings > Tab Bar
- Choose “Customize Tab Bar” and pin the Friends tab
This update marks the first in a series of planned changes for 2025, signaling Meta’s commitment to balancing newer features with Facebook’s foundational social networking identity. As algorithmic feeds dominate most platforms, this back-to-basics approach could redefine how users engage with their closest connections online.
