TikTok has emerged as the Kim Kardashian of social media platforms, with every other medium lining up to replicate it in every way. Facebook is no exception, announcing that the site will get a new makeover to mimic the short-form video app.
On Thursday, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook’s parent company Meta, shared that Facebook users would soon begin seeing a complete revitalization when they open the mobile app. The main feed, a feed featuring friends’ posts only, and a feed of only groups will be visible. Customization settings will be available for those unhappy with the new setup if users want to see less recommended content and more from people they actually know. The most recent posts from users’ friends, as well as those from the Pages they follow and the groups they have joined, will be available in the chronological Feeds tab.
Furthermore, the main feed will no longer be called the News Feed, as Facebook moves away from news content and more into entertainment and shopping space aimed at a younger audience. While the site remains one of the most downloaded apps, it is most prevalent among older people.
Some users began noticing these changes as early as Thursday. Others can expect to see the TikTok replica beginning next week. These updates will be integrated into desktop and browser versions later this year.
Facebook is not the only app to tweak its interfaces to align with TikTok. Since Instagram, also owned by Meta, began pushing Reels, their short-form videos, they have made a Reels feed that allows users to watch clips back-to-back without following the accounts. Snapchat was one of the first apps to jump on the TikTok aesthetic by introducing a matching feed called Spotlight in 2020.
