Facebook is claiming the latest redesign is both an advancement in regards to both the features and the interface. While there is a backlash to this major change (much like when the original NewsFeed was released), my own personal opinion is that the enhancement is the right decision for Facebook in socializing /forcing the concept of “real-time” usage of Facebook. In theory, this should increase the amount of traffic and dependence people have to Facebook daily since data moves so quickly now through the NewsFeed.  However, I also believe the new advanced interface is likely not fully utilized by the majority of users because it’s too hard to understand.  The interface and instructions not plain simple for people like my little sister or my dad to undersatnd (who both are on Facebook)

You might remember that the previous version asked users to define content they wanted by usage of “slider” controls. Now, users click filters called Friend Lists and Application filters to define the content they want.

How do you take advantage of these new features? What do I suggest? I’ve got a two things you should understand and utilize on the “new” Facebook. I also made a quick video blog illustrating it as well.

1.) CREATE FRIENDLISTS
The Newsfeed becomes exponentially easier to manage when you create multiple Friend Lists. A Friend List is simple — its a customized list in which you choose how to sort and customize. For example here are friends lists I’ve personally setup on my Facebook account:

People I Work With

Friends from College

High School Friends

Fraternity Friends

Kansas City Friends

Clients/Business Networking

“Circle of Trust” (my best friends and family)

Once you setup these lists, you’re able to quickly digest a TON of information in a few minutes about specific types of friends just by clicking the filters on the left. Remember, once you set these friend lists up, drag them above the grey line to make them permanent and then sequence them in the order you’d like.

2.) SEQUENCE & ORGANIZE APPLICATION FILTERS
Below the Friend List on the left side of your NewsFeed are filters that allow you to see updates from your friends about specific applications. I suggest moving the following filters to the top of their application filter list:

Photos

Video

Notes

Links

Events

From there, it’s up to you in regards to what Facebook applications you use that you should drag above the grey line to filter your Newsfeed. If you set the basic filters which I’ve suggested, when you click these you’ll all the basic FB content features (e.g. photos, video and links — like the prior NewsFeed) of all your friends. What’s unfortunate about the redesign is you can’t apply BOTH filters. For example, I can’t say I want to see Friends from College + Photos. You’re only allowed to use one Friend Lists filter or one Application filter. I should also note that the Application filter drop-down list isn’t picked by you, it’s picked by Facebook, and it’s seemingly random. For example, I’ve got the Twitter app and 2009 Bracket in my drop-down list of options.  But I’m not able to add or remove these. FB claims, “…the applications that users and their friends frequently use and have multiple stories available for a user to view are most likely to appear in this list.”

I threw together short and dirty video blog to show you a visual example of example how I’m using the new Facebook. I’m curious, what are your thoughts, do you like it? Do you think it’s more efficient? Does it provide a more personal experience since it’s real-time and has several filters?
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