Facebook has announced that it will be shifting its focus towards “social discovery” in order to prioritize meaningful social interactions between users. The social media giant plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help users connect with people who share similar interests, hobbies, and communities.
According to a recent report by TechCrunch, the shift towards social discovery is part of Facebook’s ongoing effort to improve its user engagement and retention. The company has stated that it will be using AI to make it easier for users to discover new content and connect with others who share their interests.
This change will include updates to Facebook’s News Feed algorithm, which will prioritize content from friends, family, and groups that users are a part of, rather than promotional or branded content. The algorithm will also take into account user feedback, including likes, comments, and shares, to better tailor content to each individual user.
In addition, Facebook will be introducing a new feature called “Topic Exclusion Controls” that will allow users to filter out specific topics or keywords from their News Feed. This will give users more control over the content they see and help to reduce the amount of content that may be triggering or uninteresting to them.
The social discovery focus is part of a larger effort by Facebook to reposition itself as a platform for building and maintaining relationships, rather than just a place to consume content.
The company has faced criticism in recent years for its role in spreading fake news and misinformation, and has been working to combat these issues through a variety of measures, including the implementation of third-party fact-checkers and the removal of false content.
Overall, the shift towards social discovery powered by AI is an important step for Facebook as it seeks to improve user engagement and strengthen its position as a social networking platform. While there are still concerns around the use of AI in social media, Facebook’s efforts to prioritize meaningful interactions and give users more control over their content could lead to a more positive and personalized experience for its users.
