Facebook debuts a revamped Friends tab as part of its return to ‘OG’ Facebook

Tech Crunch - Mar 27th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Facebook is launching a new 'Friends' tab designed to enhance user connectivity by featuring only updates from friends, excluding other recommended content. Initially available in the U.S. and Canada, this update aims to return Facebook to its original mission of connecting people with friends. The Friends tab will include friends' posts, Reels, stories, birthdays, and friend requests, moving away from the previous focus on community and video content.

This development follows Facebook's Gen Z-focused redesign and is part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's vision to make Facebook more culturally influential by 2025. By returning to its roots, Facebook hopes to regain its relevance among younger users who have shifted to platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The move underscores Meta's strategy to reinvigorate the social network by emphasizing personal connections, a core element that has diminished over time.

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RATING

7.4
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and informative overview of Facebook's introduction of a new Friends tab, aligning well with official announcements and strategic goals. It effectively communicates the main points and is accessible to a general audience. However, the article's reliance on Facebook's perspective limits its balance and source quality, as it lacks external viewpoints and critical analysis. While the article is timely and addresses a topic of public interest, it could enhance its impact by exploring potential implications and user reactions. Overall, the article serves as a solid introduction to Facebook's latest changes, but it would benefit from a broader range of perspectives and deeper analysis of potential impacts.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports on Facebook's introduction of a new Friends tab, detailing its function of showcasing updates exclusively from friends, which aligns with Meta's announcement. The claim that this feature is initially available only in the U.S. and Canada is also correct, supported by the blog post cited in the story. However, while the story mentions the October launch of a Gen Z-focused redesign, it lacks specific details about the redesign's features and its reception, which would require further verification. The article accurately quotes Mark Zuckerberg's statement about returning to 'OG Facebook,' aligning with the company's strategic goals. Overall, the article aligns well with the facts presented in the official sources, though it could benefit from additional context on the Gen Z redesign and user reception.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of Facebook's strategic changes, focusing on both the new Friends tab and the broader context of the company's efforts to re-engage users. It mentions Meta's attempt to attract younger users with a Gen Z-focused redesign, providing a broader perspective on the company's strategies. However, the article primarily reflects Facebook's perspective, lacking viewpoints from external analysts or user feedback, which would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the changes' impact. Including diverse perspectives, such as industry experts or user opinions, would enhance the article's balance.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the main points about Facebook's new Friends tab and its strategic implications. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the content easy to understand for a general audience. The logical flow from the introduction of the feature to its broader strategic context helps readers grasp the significance of the changes. The inclusion of direct quotes and specific instructions on how to access the new feature further enhances clarity. Overall, the article effectively communicates the key information without unnecessary complexity.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on Facebook's blog post and statements from Mark Zuckerberg as primary sources. While these are authoritative sources for the company's actions and intentions, the lack of independent verification or commentary from external experts limits the depth of analysis. The article would benefit from additional sources, such as industry analysts or user feedback, to provide a more rounded view of the changes and their potential impact. The reliance on a single perspective from the company itself may affect the perceived impartiality of the reporting.

7
Transparency

The article clearly identifies Facebook's motivations for introducing the Friends tab and provides direct quotes from Mark Zuckerberg, enhancing transparency about the company's strategic goals. However, it lacks detailed disclosure of the methodology used to gather information, such as whether user feedback or external expert opinions were considered. The article would benefit from greater transparency regarding the basis for claims about the Gen Z redesign and its impact, as well as any potential conflicts of interest, such as advertising relationships with Facebook.

Sources

  1. https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/27/og-facebook-is-back-with-big-change-to-facebooks-iphone-app/
  2. https://planet.mozilla.org/?post%2F2009%2F03%2F02%2FJulia%2C-French-contributor
  3. https://planet.mozilla.org
  4. https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-decides-content-from-your-actual-friends-is-an-og-facebook-feature-180803853.html
  5. https://20fix.com