There’s a reason why we call them “Facebook friends.”
They’re the people you enjoy following/lovingly stalking, share photos of, and message back and forth. And now, with an updated policy, the social media giant says it’s placing them front and center in your news feed — and limiting other types of posts.
In a Jan. 11 announcement, Facebook said it is updating how it ranks posts so users can interact more with the people they care about, prioritizing friends and family over public content. That includes highlighting “posts that spark conversations and meaningful interactions between people,” a Facebook news release said.
So what does that mean for users interested in connecting with their favorite pages, businesses and other publishers?
It’s still available, but you’ll see less of it.
That’ll mean fewer posts from news organizations, including The Salt Lake Tribune — unless you change your news feed preferences.
But if you want to continue to see content from us, or any other business or public page, you’ll need to update your news feed preferences. Here’s how to do it:
On our Facebook page
(Salt Lake Tribune GIF) Here's how to see more posts from The Salt Lake Tribune first in your news feed. Facebook recently changed it algorithm to prioritize friends and family, as well as favorited pages, over those that share public content.
1. If you haven’t already, like our page. That’ll automatically make you a follower, too.
2. Once on our page, click on the “Following” button, then select “See first” under “In your news feed.” That’s it! Now you’ll see content from The Salt Lake Tribune with all your other favorite posts.
From your Facebook feed
(Salt Lake Tribune GIF) Here's how to follow your favorite pages, like the Salt Lake Tribune, directly from your Facebook news feed. Facebook recently changed it algorithm to prioritize friends and family, as well as favorited pages, over those that share public content.
(This scenario assumes you have already liked the intended page.)
1. Go to the arrow in the top right-hand corner and click so it gives you a drop down menu. Select “News Feed Preferences.”
2. A box will pop up. Choose “Prioritize who to see first.”
3. Scroll down to find your favorite page, then click on that page’s icon. You should now see a star next to the page icon.
4. Hit done. Now you’ll see content from those pages first in your news feed.
On the Facebook app
Visit The Salt Lake Tribune’s page on your app, and tap Following. Then choose the option on the right — See First.
Or:
1. Open the app, then tap on the little “hamburger” menu (three horizontally stacked lines) on the bottom right.
2. Scroll down to “Settings.” Tap on it, then select “News Feed Preferences.”
3. A new window will pop up. Select “Prioritize who to see first.”
4. Scroll down to find your favorite page, then click on that page’s icon. You should now see a star next to the page icon.
5. Tap done.