|
"Friending" someone on the platform is the act of sending another user a "friend request" on Facebook. The two people are Facebook friends once the receiving party accepts the friend request. In addition to accepting the request, the user has the option of declining the friend request or hiding it using the "Not Now" feature. Deleting a friend request removes the request, but does allow the sender to resend it in the future. The "Not Now" feature hides the request but does not delete it, allowing the receiver to revisit the request at a later date.
It is also possible to remove a user from one's friends, which is referred to as "unfriending" by Facebook.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=172936839431357 | title = How do I unfriend or delete a friend? | publisher = Facebook }}</ref> Many Facebook users also refer to the process as "de-friending".<ref name="PHILIP GALANES">{{ cite news | last= GALANES | first= PHILIP | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/fashion/24social.html | title= De-Friend Me? I Don't Think So | work= The New York Times | date= May 21, 2009 | accessdateaccess-date= Nov 5, 2010 }}</ref> "Unfriend" was [[New Oxford American Dictionary]]'s [[word of the year]] in 2009.<ref>[http://mashable.com/2009/11/16/unfriend-word-of-the-year/ "Unfriend" is Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year] mashable.com 2009/11/16</ref><ref name="HEUSSNER Unfriend">{{ cite news | last= HEUSSNER | first= KI MAE | url= https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/unfriend-defriend-facebook-fans-debate/story?id=9106240 | title= 'Unfriend' or 'Defriend?' Facebook Fans Debate | publisher= [[ABC News]] | date= Nov 17, 2009 | accessdateaccess-date= Nov 5, 2010 }}</ref> Facebook does not notify a user if they have been unfriended, but there are scripts that provide this functionality.<ref name="FB Purity">{{ cite news| url=http://www.fbpurity.com/news/fb-purity-update-v9-0-new-deleted-friend-alerts-friend-whitelist-chronological-newsfeed-sorting/ | title=FB Purity v9.0: Deleted Friend Alerts, Friend Whitelist, Chronological Newsfeed Sorting| date= Nov 14, 2013 | accessdateaccess-date= Nov 24, 2014 }}</ref> There has also been a study on why Facebook users unfriend, which found that differences, especially between ages, and few mutual friendships were the dominant factors correlated with unfriending, all of which mirrors the decline of physical-world relationships.<ref>{{ cite journal | last = Quercia | first = Daniele |first2=Mansoureh|last2=Bodaghi|first3=Jon |last3=Crowcroft | title = Loosing "Friends" on Facebook | url = http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~dq209/publications/websci_loosing.pdf | journal = ACM WebSci | year = 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023192528/http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~dq209/publications/websci_loosing.pdf|archive-date=October 23, 2017}}</ref>
Facebook profiles also have advanced privacy features to restrict content to certain users, such as non-friends or persons on a specific list.
The Wall is the original profile space where Facebook users' content until December 2011 was displayed. It allowed the posting of messages, often short or temporal notes, for the user to see while displaying the time and date the message was written. A user's Wall is visible to anyone with the ability to see their full profile, and friends' Wall posts appear in the user's News Feed.
In July 2007, Facebook allowed users to post attachments to the Wall, whereas previously the Wall was limited to text only.<ref>{{cite web | last = Der | first = Kevin | url = http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=3532972130 | title = Facebook is off-the-wall | accessdateaccess-date = 2007-07-30 }}</ref> In May 2008, the Wall-to-Wall for each profile was limited to only 40 posts. Facebook later allowed users to insert HTML code in boxes attached to the wall via apps like Static FBML which has allowed marketers to track use of their fan pages with Google Analytics.
The concept of tagging in status updates, an attempt to imitate Twitter,<ref name=Parr>{{cite web | last = Parr | first = Ben | url = http://mashable.com/2009/09/14/facebook-status-tagging-live/ | title = BREAKING: Facebook Introduces @Mentions in Status Updates | publisher = [[Mashable]] | date = 2009-09-10 | accessdateaccess-date = 2013-08-07 }}</ref> began September 14, 2009. This meant putting the name of a user, a brand, an event or a group<ref name="Ostrow">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2009/09/14/facebook-status-tagging-live/|title=BREAKING: Facebook’s @Mentions Feature Is Live|last=Ostrow|first=Adam|date=2009-09-14|publisher=[[Mashable]]|accessdateaccess-date=2013-08-07}}</ref> in a post in such a way that it linked to the wall of the Facebook page being tagged, and made the post appear in news feeds for that page, as well as those of selected friends.<ref>{{cite news | last = Luck | first = Carolyn | url= http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/tag-someone-sentence-facebook-5164.html | title = How to Tag Someone in a Sentence on Facebook | work = [[The Arizona Republic]] | agency = Demand Media |accessdateaccess-date = 2013-07-26 }}</ref> This was first done using the "@" symbol followed by the person's name. Later, a numerical ID for the person could be used. Visually, this was displayed with bold text.<ref name=Gilbert>{{cite web | last = Gilbert | first = Jason | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/facebook-photo-tag-trick_n_1126202.html | title = Facebook Trick Lets You Tag Photos With Any Name You Want To – ANY Name At All | work = Huffington Post | date = 2011-12-02 | accessdateaccess-date = 2013-07-26 }}</ref> Early in 2011, tagging in comments was added.
In addition to postings by other users, the Wall also displayed other events that happened to the user's profile. This included when information was changed, when they changed their profile picture, and when they connected with new people, among other things.
=== Timeline ===
In September 2011, Facebook introduced "Timeline" at its [[Facebook F8|developer conference]], intended to revamp users' profiles in order to show content based on year, month and date. "Cover" photos were introduced, taking up a significant portion of the top of pages, and a redesigned display of personal information such as friends, likes and photos appeared on the left-hand side, while story posts appeared on the right. The new design introduced flexible sizing for story posts in the feed, along with more prominent location and photo placement. The Timeline also encouraged scrolling, with constantly loading story posts of users' pasts.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jacob |last=Schulman |title=Facebook Timeline preview and photos: a personal tour |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/09/22/facebook-timeline |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=September 22, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Nancy |last=Messieh |title=New to Facebook’s Timeline? This is what you need to know |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/12/15/new-to-facebooks-timeline-this-is-what-you-need-to-know/ |website=The Next Web |date=December 15, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=How to Use the Facebook Timeline: A Complete Walk-Through of the Redesigned Profile |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/how-to-use-facebook-timeline-profile/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=September 23, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> Timeline began gradually rolling out to users in New Zealand starting December 7, 2011,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Russell |title=Facebook’s Timeline is rolling out now, starting in New Zealand |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/12/07/facebook-trials-timeline-in-new-zealand-prepares-for-international-launch/ |website=The Next Web |date=December 7, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> and was made officially available to all users worldwide on December 15.<ref>{{cite web |first=Hayley |last=Tsukayama |title=Facebook releases the Timeline for everyone |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/facebook-releases-the-timeline-for-everyone/2011/12/15/gIQANTH5vO_story.html |website=[[The Washington Post]] |date=December 15, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Bryant |title=Facebook Timeline is now available worldwide |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2011/12/15/facebook-timeline-is-now-available-worldwide/ |website=The Next Web |date=December 15, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> By January, the switch to Timeline became required for all users.<ref>{{cite web |first=Amanda |last=Carey |title=Facebook to Require New Timeline Profile |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/facebook-require-timeline-profile-users/story?id=15440189 |website=[[ABC News]] |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company]] |date=January 25, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Zoe |last=Fox |title=Ready or not, you're getting Facebook Timeline |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/24/tech/social-media/facebook-timeline-rolls-out/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |date=January 25, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> In February 2012, Timeline became available for Facebook Pages.<ref>{{cite web |first=Lance |last=Whitney |title=Facebook launches Timeline for Pages |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-launches-timeline-for-pages/ |website=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=February 29, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref>
=== Likes and Reactions ===
{{Main|Facebook like button}}
[[File:Facebook logo thumbs up like transparent SVG.svg|thumb|The "like" button on Facebook]]
The like button, first enabled on February 9, 2009,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook Activates "Like" Button; FriendFeed Tires Of Sincere Flattery |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/02/09/facebook-activates-like-button-friendfeed-tires-of-sincere-flattery/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=February 9, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> enables users to easily interact with status updates, comments, photos, links shared by friends, videos and advertisements. Once clicked by a user, the designated content appears in the [[News Feed]]s of that user's friends,<ref>{{cite web |first=JP |last=Mangalindan |title=Facebook Likes don't go as far as they used to in News Feed update |url=http://mashable.com/2015/04/21/news-feed-facebook-likes/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=April 21, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=How Facebook News Feed Works |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/06/ultimate-guide-to-the-news-feed/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=September 6, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> and the button also displays the number of other users who have liked the content, including a full or partial list of those users.<ref>{{cite web |title=Like and React to Posts |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/1624177224568554/ |website=Facebook Help Center |publisher=Facebook |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> The like button was extended to comments in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chloe |last=Albanesius |title=Facebook Adds Ability to 'Like' Comments |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365190,00.asp |website=[[PC Magazine]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=June 17, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> After extensive testing<ref name="verge-reactions"/> and years of questions from the public about whether it had an intention to incorporate a "Dislike" button,<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Johnston |title=No dislike button for Facebook, declares Zuckerberg |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/12/no-dislike-button-for-facebook-declares-zuckerberg |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=December 12, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> Facebook officially rolled out "Reactions" to users worldwide on February 24, 2016, letting users long-press on the like button for an option to use one of five pre-defined emotions, including "Love", "Haha", "Wow", "Sad", or "Angry".<ref name="verge-reactions">{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Facebook rolls out expanded Like button reactions around the world |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/24/11094374/facebook-reactions-like-button |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=February 24, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Liz |last=Stinson |title=Facebook Reactions, the Totally Redesigned Like Button, Is Here |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/02/facebook-reactions-totally-redesigned-like-button |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=February 24, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> Reactions were also extended to comments in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web |first=Natt |last=Garun |title=Facebook reactions have now infiltrated comments |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/3/15536812/facebook-reactions-now-available-comments |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 3, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Cohen |title=Facebook Just Extended Reactions to Comments |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-reactions-comments/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=May 3, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref>
=== Comments ===
=== Messages and inbox ===
{{Main|Facebook Messenger}}
Facebook Messenger is an [[instant messaging]] service and software application. Originally developed as Facebook Chat in 2008,<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Hendrickson |title=Facebook Chat Launches, For Some |url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/04/06/facebook-chat-enters-pre-release-beta/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 6, 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> the company revamped its messaging service in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |first=MG |last=Siegler |title=Facebook's Modern Messaging System: Seamless, History, And A Social Inbox |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/15/facebook-messaging/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=November 15, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and subsequently released standalone [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] apps in August 2011.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook Launches Standalone iPhone/Android Messenger App (And It’s Beluga) |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/08/09/facebook-launches-standalone-mobile-messenger-app-and-it%E2%80%99s-beluga/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=August 9, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> Over the years, Facebook has released new apps on a variety of different operating systems,<ref>{{cite web |first=Emil |last=Protalinski |title=Facebook Messenger version 1.5 is out: BlackBerry, iOS 5 support |url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/facebook-messenger-version-1-5-is-out-blackberry-ios-5-support/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=October 19, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Fingas |title=Facebook Messenger arrives for Windows Phone sans voice features |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/04/facebook-messenger-arrives-for-windows-phone/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=March 4, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Adnan |last=F. |title=Official Facebook Messenger and Instagram apps arrive for Samsung Z1 |url=https://www.sammobile.com/2015/07/13/official-facebook-messenger-and-instagram-apps-arrive-for-samsung-z1/ |website=SamMobile |date=July 13, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> launched a dedicated [[Web application|website interface]],<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Welch |title=Facebook launches standalone Messenger for web browsers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/8/8371349/facebook-messenger-web-browsers-now-available |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 8, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and separated the messaging functionality from the main Facebook app, requiring users to download the standalone apps.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ellis |last=Hamburger |title=Facebook will turn off messaging in its mobile app, forcing you to download Messenger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5598440/facebook-will-turn-off-messaging-in-its-mobile-app-forcing-you-to-download-messenger |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 9, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref>
Facebook Messenger lets Facebook users send messages to each other. Complementing regular conversations, Messenger lets users make [[Voice over IP|voice calls]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Ellis |last=Hamburger |title=Facebook launches free calling for all iPhone users in the US |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/16/3883538/facebook-launches-free-calling-in-messenger-for-iphone-us |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 16, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and [[Videotelephony|video calls]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Messenger Launches Free VOIP Video Calls Over Cellular And Wi-Fi |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/27/facebook-messenger-video-chat/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 27, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> both in one-to-one interactions<ref>{{cite web |first=Hope |last=King |title=Facebook Messenger now lets you make video calls |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/27/technology/facebook-messenger-mobile-video-call/ |website=[[CNN]] |date=April 27, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and in group conversations.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Facebook Messenger now lets you video chat with up to 50 people |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/19/14006752/facebook-messenger-group-video-chat-feature-update |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 19, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> Its Android app has integrated support for [[SMS]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Charles |last=Arthur |title=Facebook turns Messenger into a text message killer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/04/facebook-messenger-android-sms-killer |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=December 4, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and "Chat Heads", which are round profile photo icons appearing on-screen regardless of what app is open,<ref>{{cite web |title=Chat Heads come to Facebook Messenger for Android |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/12/4216838/facebook-updates-messenger-adds-chat-heads |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 12, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> while both apps support multiple accounts,<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Facebook Tests SMS Integration In Messenger, Launches Support For Multiple Accounts |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/11/facebook-tests-sms-integration-in-messenger-launches-support-for-multiple-accounts/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=February 11, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> conversations with optional [[end-to-end encryption]],<ref>{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |title=You Can All Finally Encrypt Facebook Messenger, So Do It |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/facebook-completely-encrypted-messenger-update-now/ |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=October 4, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and playing "Instant Games", which are select games built into Messenger.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Messenger launches Instant Games |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/29/messenger-instant-games/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=November 29, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> Some features, including sending money<ref name="US-feature">{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Introduces Free Friend-To-Friend Payments Through Messages |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/17/facebook-pay/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and requesting transportation,<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew J. |last=Hawkins |title=Facebook Messenger now lets you hail an Uber car |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10303878/facebook-messenger-uber-app-integration-API |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 16, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> are limited to the United States.<ref name="US-feature"/> In 2017, Facebook has added "Messenger Day", a feature that lets users share photos and videos in a story-format with all their friends with the content disappearing after 24 hours;<ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=Vincent |title=Facebook’s Snapchat stories clone, Messenger Day, is now rolling out globally |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/9/14867192/facebook-messenger-snapchat-stories-clone-day |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=March 9, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> Reactions, which lets users tap and hold a message to add a reaction through an [[emoji]];<ref name="verge-mentions">{{cite web |first=James |last=Vincent |title=Facebook Messenger gets reactions for individual messages and @ notifications |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/23/15033810/facebook-messenger-notifications-reactions |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=March 23, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and Mentions, which lets users in group conversations type @ to give a particular user a notification.<ref name="verge-mentions"/>
In March 2015, Facebook announced that it would start letting businesses and users interact through Messenger with features such as tracking purchases and receiving notifications, and interacting with customer service representatives. It also announced that third-party developers could integrate their apps into Messenger, letting users enter an app while inside Messenger and optionally share details from the app into a chat.<ref>{{cite web |first=Hope |last=King |title=7 big changes coming to Facebook |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/03/25/technology/facebook-f8-messenger/ |website=[[CNN]] |date=March 25, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> In April 2016, it introduced an [[API]] for developers to build [[Software agent|chatbots]] into Messenger, for uses such as news publishers building bots to give users news through the service,<ref>{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Facebook launches a bot platform for Messenger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/12/11395806/facebook-messenger-bot-platform-announced-f8-conference |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 12, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> and in April 2017, it enabled the [[M (virtual assistant)|M virtual assistant]] for users in the U.S., which scans chats for keywords and suggests relevant actions, such as its payments system for users mentioning money.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Facebook’s AI assistant will now offer suggestions inside Messenger |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/6/15200836/facebook-messenger-m-suggestions-ai-assisant |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 6, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Messenger’s AI ‘M’ suggests features to use based on your convos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/06/facebook-messengers-ai-m-suggests-features-to-use-based-on-your-convos/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 6, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> Additionally, Facebook expanded the use of bots, incorporating group chatbots into Messenger as "Chat Extensions", adding a "Discovery" tab for finding bots, and enabling special, branded [[QR code]]s that, when scanned, take the user to a specific bot.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Messenger launches group bots and bot discovery tab |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/facebook-bot-discovery/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 18, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref>
In August 2018, Facebook discontinued users' ability to post to their Timeline using SMS.
Groups are used for collaboration and allow discussions, events, and numerous other activities. They are a way of enabling a number of people to come together online to share information and discuss specific subjects. They are increasingly used by clubs, companies and public sector organizations to engage with stakeholders, be they members of the public, employees, members, service users, shareholders or customers. Groups can have three different levels of privacy settings:
* "Open" means both the group, its members and their comments are visible to the public (which includes non-members) but they cannot interact without joining.
* "Secret" means that nothing can be viewed by the public unless a member specifically invites another user to join the group.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/help/220336891328465|title = What are the privacy options for groups?|date = |accessdate = |website = Facebook Help Center|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
Previously, in October 2010, there were version 0 (legacy) and version 1 (current) groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/blog.php?post=434700832130 |title=New Groups: Stay Closer to Groups of People in Your Life |publisher=Facebook |accessdateaccess-date=2013-06-14}}</ref> Version 1 or "new" groups can contain the name of the group in their URL if the email-address of the group is set. Groups do not have a RSS feed to export the wall or the member list, such as Pages or Events have, but third parties provide such service if the group is set to an "open" privacy setting. All groups have since been migrated to a single design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/migrations/completed-changes#july_2013 |title=Facebook Migrations: Removing 'version' field for Groups |publisher=Facebook |accessdateaccess-date=2016-02-09}}</ref>
== Applications ==
Facebook events are a way for members to let friends know about upcoming events in their community and to organize social gatherings. Events require an event name, network, host name, event type, start time, location, and a guest list of friends invited. Events can be public or private. Private events cannot be found in searches and are by invitation only. People who have not been invited cannot view a Private event's description, Wall, or photos. They also will not see any Feed stories about the event. When setting up an event the user can choose to allow friends to upload photos or videos. Note that unlike real world events, all events are treated as separate entities (when the reality is some events sit inside other events, going to one event would preclude going to another, and so on).
In February 2011, Facebook began to use the [[HCalendar|hCalendar microformat]] to mark up events, and the [[HCard|hCard microformat]] for the events' venues, enabling the extraction of details to users' own calendar or mapping applications. Third parties facilitate events to be exported from Facebook pages to the [[iCalendar]]-format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Wallflux/status/161419742261936128 |title=Twitter |publisher=Twitter |accessdateaccess-date=2013-06-14}}</ref>
=== Marketplace ===
In 2007, Facebook introduced the Facebook Marketplace, allowing users to post classified ads within sale, housing, and jobs categories.<ref name="tc-marketplace">{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook launches Marketplace, a friendlier Craigslist |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/03/facebook-marketplace-2/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=October 3, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref> However, the feature never gained traction, and in 2009, control was transferred to [[Oodle, Inc.|Oodle]], the platform powering the functionality. The feature was then eventually shut down in 2014.<ref name="tc-marketplace"/> In October 2016, Facebook announced a new Marketplace, citing the growth of organized "buy and sell" Facebook Groups, and gave the new version a higher prominence in the main Facebook app, taking the navigation position previously held by [[Facebook Messenger]].<ref name="tc-marketplace"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Heath |title=Facebook wants to replace Craigslist and eBay with a new section in its app |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-introduces-marketplace-for-buying-and-selling-items-to-replace-craigslist-2016-10 |website=[[Business Insider]] |publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]] |date=October 3, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref>
According to Facebook’s internal data from 2019, the Marketplace used to only be a [[Customer to customer|C2C]] platform but now there is a major [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/btoc.asp B2C] opportunity for US retailers. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-27|title=Facebook Marketplace is open for businesses selling new products|url=https://searchengineland.com/facebook-marketplace-is-open-for-businesses-selling-new-products-335287|access-date=2020-08-23|website=Marketing Land}}</ref>
=== Notes ===
Facebook Notes was introduced on August 22, 2006, as a [[blog]]ging platform offering users the ability to write notes, attach photos, and optionally import blog entries from external sources.<ref>{{cite web |first=Pete |last=Cashmore |title=Facebook Notes – Facebook Adds Blogs |url=http://mashable.com/2006/08/22/facebook-notes-facebook-adds-blogs/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=August 22, 2006 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref>
The most known usage form of the Notes feature was the [[Internet meme]] "25 Random Things About Me", which involves writing 25 things about the user that their friends do not already know about them and using the tag function to ask 25 friends to do the same. The trend became popular in February 2009, with ''[[The New York Times]]'' discussing its sudden surge, noting that nearly five million notes were created for the purpose, a doubling of the feature's use in the previous week and larger than any other week in Facebook's history.<ref>{{cite web |first=Douglas |last=Quenqua |title=Ah, Yes, More About Me? Here Are ‘25 Random Things’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/fashion/05things.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 4, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref>
In September 2015, the Notes feature received an update, bringing additional features, such as adding a cover photo and caption, the ability to resize photos, and text formatting options.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kia |last=Kokalitcheva |title=Facebook Notes are finally pretty enough to use |url=http://fortune.com/2015/09/25/facebook-notes-update-medium/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=September 25, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref>
The Notes feature will become read-only from October 31, 2020.<ref>https://businessesgrow.com/2020/10/14/facebook-notes</ref>
=== Places ===
Facebook announced Places on August 18, 2010. It is a feature that lets users check into Facebook using a mobile device to let a user's friends know where they are at the moment.<ref>{{cite web | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-08-19 | url = http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=418175202130 | title = Who, What, When, and Now...Where | publisher = Facebook | date = 2010-08-18 |author=Sharon, Michael Eyal }}</ref>
In November 2010, Facebook announced "Deals", a subset of the Places offering, which allows for users to check in from restaurants, supermarkets, bars, and coffee shops using an app on a mobile device and then be rewarded discounts, coupons, and free merchandise. This feature is marketed as a digital version of a [[Loyalty program|loyalty card]] or coupon where a customer gets rewarded for loyal buying behavior.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=146878 | title = Facebook Ads Provide 'Deals' for Local Merchants, Marketers | accessdateaccess-date = November 4, 2010 }}</ref>
On October 10, 2010, Places became available on [[BlackBerry]],<ref>{{cite web | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-12-09 | url = http://blogs.blackberry.com/2010/11/facebook-places-blackberry/ | title = Facebook Places Now Available For BlackBerry! | publisher = Blackberry | date = 2010-11-10 |author=DISQUS, Blackberry }}</ref> [[iPhone]], and [[Android OS|Android]]. Other users, including Windows Mobile users, must use an [[HTML5]] browser to use Places via Facebook Touch Site.<ref>{{cite web | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-12-09 | url = http://www.minasolution.com/tools/codepad/facebook-places-on-windows-mobile-how-to-1291873451.html | title = Facebook Places on Windows Mobile | publisher = MinaSolution | date = 2010-11-10 |author=Codepad Team, MinaSolution }}</ref>
Facebook Places was reported discontinued on August 24, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/facebook-just-killed-places-5833712|title=Facebook Just Killed Places|first=Sam|last=Biddle|website=Gizmodo|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> but was relaunched in November 2014, now including cover images, discovery sections, city/category landing pages, a deeper integration with the Location API, Graph Search queries and user generated content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://searchengineland.com/facebook-launches-new-places-directory-208105|title=Facebook Launches New Places Directory|date=12 November 2014|website=Search Engine Land|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
=== Platform ===
=== Photos ===
Facebook allows users to upload photos, and to add them to albums. In December 2010, the company enabled [[Facial recognition system|facial recognition]] technology, helping users identify people to tag in uploaded photos.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook Uses Face Recognition To Help Tag Photos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/15/facebook-uses-face-recognition-to-help-tag-photos/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=December 15, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> In May 2011, Facebook launched a feature to tag specific Facebook pages in photos, including brands, products, and companies.<ref>{{cite web |first=Leena |last=Rao |title=Facebook Now Allows You To Tag Pages In Photos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/05/11/facebook-now-allows-you-to-tag-pages-in-photos/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=May 11, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> On mobile, Facebook introduced [[Photographic filter|photo filters]] in August 2011.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Bilton |title=Facebook Targets Instagram With Photo Filters |url=https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/facebook-targets-instagram-with-photo-filters/ |website=Bits |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 24, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
In May 2016, Facebook started allowing users to upload and view 360-degree photos. Mobile users will move their device around to navigate the environment, while website users will have to click and drag.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Facebook is bringing 360-degree photos to the News Feed |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/11/11653796/facebook-360-degree-photos-news-feed-update |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 11, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karissa |last=Bell |title=360-degree photos are coming to Facebook's News Feed |url=http://mashable.com/2016/05/11/facebook-360-photos/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=May 11, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
According to Facebook in 2010, there were over 50 billion photos stored on the service.<ref>{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Johnson |title=Scaling Facebook to 500 Million Users and Beyond |url=https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=409881258919 |website=[[Facebook]] |date=July 21, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== Videos ===
In May 2007, Facebook officially launched its video platform, allowing users to upload recorded videos or [[Streaming media|livestream]] videos from their [[webcam]]s. The service supports the ability to "tag" friends in similar ways to photos.<ref>{{cite web |first=Pete |last=Cashmore |title=Facebook Video Launches: YouTube Beware! |url=http://mashable.com/2007/05/24/facebook-video-launches/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=May 25, 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref> In December 2014, Facebook began rolling out functionality for business Pages to pin ("Feature") a video to the top of their Videos tab.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Challenges YouTube Channels With New Features For Pages |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/24/facebook-videos/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=December 24, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
In January 2015, Facebook published a report detailing a significant growth in video viewing on the platform, specifically highlighting the fact that Facebook has seen an average of one billion video views every day since June 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Stuart |last=Dredge |title=Facebook trumpets video growth as it prepares to take on YouTube |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/08/facebook-video-growth-youtube-views |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=January 8, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
In September 2015, Facebook announced that it would begin showing view counts for publicly posted videos.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Highlights Its 1-Billion-Video-Views-Per-Day Reach By Adding View Counts |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/09/07/facebook-puts-its-video-reach-in-the-spotlight/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=September 7, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> A few weeks later, the company announced that users will be able to view 360-degree videos. On the website, users can click around to change the perspective, whereas mobile users can physically move their device to interact with the virtual space. The result is the work of a collaboration between Facebook and its [[Oculus VR|Oculus]] division.<ref>{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Facebook brings 360-degree video to the News Feed with help from Oculus |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/23/9383481/facebook-360-degree-video-news-feed-oculus |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=September 23, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Brings VR-Style 360-Degree Video To News Feed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/09/23/facebook-360-degree-video/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=September 23, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Julia |last=Greenberg |title=Facebook Debuts 360 Video With an Immersive Star Wars Clip |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/09/facebook-launches-360-video-immersive-star-wars-clip/ |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=September 23, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
==== Live streaming ====
In August 2015, Facebook began to allow users to [[Live streaming|live stream]] video. Streams appear on the News Feed, and users can comment on them in real-time. Live broadcasts are automatically saved as a video post to the streamer's page. The feature was positioned as a competitor to services such as [[Meerkat (app)|Meerkat]] and [[Periscope (app)|Periscope]].<ref name="tc-livementions">{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Launches "Live" Streaming Video Feature, But Only For Celebrities |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/08/05/facescope/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=August 5, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Facebook introduces Live for Mentions, a live-streaming tool for celebrities only |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/5/9101127/facebook-live-for-mentions-periscope |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=August 5, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>
The feature was initially available only to verified public figures through the Facebook Mentions app (which is also exclusive to these users).<ref name="tc-livementions"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/11/facebook-mentions-android/|title=Facebook’s ‘Mentions’ App For Celebrities And Other Verified Users Comes To Android|last=Russell|first=Jon|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-12-27|language=en}}</ref> Live streaming began to roll out for public use in January 2016, beginning with the Facebook [[iOS]] app in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Takes On Periscope By Giving Live Streaming To All U.S. iPhoners |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/28/comfortable-ephemerality-vs-reach/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=January 28, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Facebook rolls out live video streaming to everyone in the United States |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/28/10860932/facebook-live-streaming-video-periscope |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 28, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>
In April 2016, Facebook unveiled a live-streaming [[application programming interface|API]], aimed to allow developers to use any device, including professional video cameras and [[unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]], to integrate with the live-video streaming platform.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Wagner |title=Facebook Wants You Streaming Live Video From Whatever Device You Choose |url=https://www.recode.net/2016/4/12/11586064/facebook-live-video-api-launch-f8 |website=[[Recode]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 12, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Anthony |last=Ha |title=Facebook Live opens to developers, starting with Livestream, DJI and others |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/12/facebook-live-api/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 12, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> Facebook also updated its mobile app to provide a dedicated section for showcasing current and recent live broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Wagner |title=Facebook revamps its app and puts live video front and center |url=https://www.recode.net/2016/4/6/11585898/facebook-livestreaming-update-new-broadcast-section |website=[[Recode]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 6, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> To drive its adoption, Facebook provided incentives to publishers and celebrities to perform live broadcasts, including monetary rewards.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Wagner |title=It's Not Just Celebrities – Facebook Is Paying Media Companies to Make Live Video, Too |url=https://www.recode.net/2016/4/6/11585888/facebook-paying-media-partners-like-buzzfeed-to-livestream |website=[[Recode]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 6, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Wagner |title=How Will Facebook Make Money Off Live Video? Just Look at TV. |url=https://www.recode.net/2016/4/18/11586194/facebook-live-video-advertising-may-look-like-tv-advertising |website=[[Recode]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 18, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>
In March 2017, Facebook extended live-streaming support to PCs.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chaim |last=Gartenberg |title=Facebook now lets you broadcast live video from a PC |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15020458/facebook-live-broadcast-from-pc-computer-game-streaming |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=March 22, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Live adds PC game and desktop live streaming |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/22/facebook-live-desktop/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=March 22, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> In May, Facebook Live was updated on [[iOS]] to let two users livestream together,<ref>{{cite web |first=Natt |last=Garun |title=Facebook Live now lets you add a friend to live stream together |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/23/15679926/facebook-live-add-a-friend-ios-update |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 23, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> and the following month, Facebook added support for [[closed captioning]] to live video. This is limited to the [[CEA-608]] standard, a notable difference from the automatic closed captioning available for Page videos that are recorded and then uploaded, due to difficulties in adapting the same standard at scale on the low-latency real-time nature for live content.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Live gets accessible with third-party closed captioning |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/06/facebook-live-captions/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=June 6, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Khari |last=Johnson |title=Facebook Live videos now feature closed captioning |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/06/facebook-live-videos-now-feature-closed-captioning/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=June 6, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=June 6, 2017}}</ref>
At the end of 2017, Facebook Live was updated to offer support for livestreaming [[Facebook Messenger]] games.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mariella |last=Moon |title=Facebook Live can now broadcast Messenger games |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/07/facebook-live-messenger-games/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 7, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Webster |title=Facebook is bringing live-streaming and video chats to its Instant Games platform |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/7/16743572/facebook-instant-games-live-stream-video-chat |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 7, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
====Controversial use====
Facebook Live was used by the perpetrators of the [[2017 Chicago torture incident]], wherein four black young adults kidnapped and tortured a mentally disabled white male.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/05/508331652/4-people-in-custody-in-chicago-over-beating-live-streamed-on-facebook|title=4 Charged With Hate Crimes Over Beating Live-Streamed On Facebook|website=NPR.org|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> All four were charged with hate crimes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/us/chicago-racially-charged-attack-video.html|title=4 Black Suspects Charged in Videotaped Beating of White Teenager in Chicago|first1=Mitch|last1=Smith|first2=Monica|last2=Davey|date=5 January 2017|publisher=|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Facebook Live was also used by the perpetrator of the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] to broadcast the attack on [[Al Noor Mosque, Christchurch|Al Noor Mosque]]. A total of 51 people were killed and another 40 were injured at Al Noor and in a subsequent attack at [[Linwood Islamic Centre]]. This video was viewed over 4,000 times and had 200 watching it live.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/technology/facebook-youtube-christchurch-shooting.html|title=A Mass Murder of, and for, the Internet|last=Roose|first=Kevin|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|date=March 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47620519|title=Facebook: New Zealand attack video viewed 4,000 times|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|date=March 19, 2019}}</ref><ref name="rnz00">{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12358347|title=Christchurch mosque terror attack sentencing: Gunman Brenton Tarrant planned to attack three mosques|publisher=New Zealand Herald|last1=Bayer|first1=Kurt|last2=Leasl|first2=Anna|date=24 August 2020|accessdateaccess-date=24 August 2020}}</ref> Because of this, Facebook announced it would be considering restrictions on the service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/03/29/facebook-restrict-facebook-live-after-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/3314698002|title=Facebook to restrict Facebook Live after New Zealand mosque shootings, Sheryl Sandberg says|last=Guynn|first=Jessica|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|date=March 29, 2019}}</ref> The service was also used to broadcast the hostage taking during the [[Nakhon Ratchasima shootings]], which ultimately left 31 people dead including the perpetrator and 57 others injured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1853804/commandos-kill-soldier-after-korat-shooting-rampage-20-dead|title=Commandos kill soldier after Korat shooting rampage - 20 Dead|last=|first=|date=10 February 2020|website=The Bangkok Post|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=30.1>{{cite news|url=https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/news/detail/TCATG200824151745818|title=ผู้ว่าฯ สกลนคร เป็นประธานในพิธีพระราชทานเพลิงศพนายอุทัย ขันอาสา ซึ่งเสียชีวิตจากเหตุกราดยิงที่โคราช|trans-title=The governor of Sakon Nakhon presided over the cremation ceremony of Uthai Khanasa, who died in the Korat shooting.|publisher=Thai News|language=th|date=24 August 2020|accessdateaccess-date=20 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=30.2>{{cite news|url=https://ch3thailandnews.bectero.com/news/204471|title=อาลัย ‘อุทัย ขันอาสา’ รปภ.เหยื่อกราดยิงโคราชเสียชีวิตแล้ว หลังยื้อชีวิตนาน 6 เดือน|trans-title=Lamented 'Uthai Khanasa' Security Guard, the victim of Korat shooting was dead. After 6 months|publisher=Channel 3 Thailand News|language=th|date=23 August 2020|accessdateaccess-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>
=== Facebook Paper ===
During the same week as its tenth anniversary, Facebook launched the Paper iPhone app. The app consists of two major features: Firstly, Facebook's News Feed is more graphic, as the app uses technology such as full-screen photos and video footage. Content is organized under headings such as "Creators" and "Planet"; secondly, Paper allows users to post statuses, photos, and "stories" to Facebook that has been described as a different, more presentation-focused design.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Quiet Upheaval of Facebook's New iPhone App|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/02/the-quiet-upheaval-of-facebooks-new-iphone-app/283477/|work=The Atlantic|accessdateaccess-date=4 February 2014|first=Robinson|last=Meyer|date=3 February 2014}}</ref>
=== Facebook Mentions ===
Facebook Mentions, initially an [[iOS]]-only app, was released by the company in 2014. It allows public figures with a verified account to engage with their respective fanbases in a more concentrated experience.<ref>{{cite web |first=Darrell |last=Etherington |title=Facebook Launches ‘Mentions,’ The Exclusive FB App For Playing The Fame Game |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/17/facebook-launches-mentions-the-exclusive-fb-app-for-playing-the-fame-game/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=July 17, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Adi |last=Robertson |title=Facebook has released Mentions, an iOS app only for celebrities |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/7/17/5912403/facebook-has-released-mentions-an-ios-app-only-for-companies-and |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=July 17, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> The app had been in testing with select celebrities for nearly a year before its launch.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Isaac |title=Fame On: Facebook Testing VIP-Only App |url=http://allthingsd.com/20130813/fame-on-facebook-testing-vip-only-app/ |website=[[All Things Digital]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |date=August 13, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> In September 2015, Facebook expanded the availability of the Mentions app to journalists and other verified pages, and also gave users of the app the ability to post exclusively to their Facebook followers rather than both followers and friends. The update also enabled the first livestreaming functionality through Facebook Live.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Gives Verified Profiles Its Mentions App With "Live" Streaming And Posts Just To Followers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/09/10/facebook-gives-verified-profiles-its-mentions-app-with-live-streaming-and-posts-just-to-followers/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=September 10, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> Facebook Mentions became available on [[Android (operating system)|Android]] in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Russell |title=Facebook’s ‘Mentions’ App For Celebrities And Other Verified Users Comes To Android |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/11/facebook-mentions-android/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=January 11, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Abner |last=Li |title=Facebook launches Mentions for verified public figures on Android |url=https://9to5google.com/2016/01/12/facebook-mentions-android/ |website=9to5Google |date=January 12, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> In December 2016, Facebook Live on Mentions received several updates, including comment moderation tools, broadcasting appearance customization, and editing features to remove unnecessary footage at the beginning or end of a broadcast.<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Cohen |title=Facebook Live Updates for Facebook Mentions |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-live-updates-facebook-mentions/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=December 22, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Saqib |last=Shah |title=Facebook Mentions app for celebrities gets exclusive live video features |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/facebook-mentions-update/ |website=[[Digital Trends]] |date=December 22, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=Yeung |title=Facebook Mentions brings new tools for social media managers: mod tools and controls for Live |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/12/21/facebook-mentions-brings-new-tools-for-social-media-managers-mod-tools-and-controls-for-live/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=December 21, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref>
=== Facebook Moments ===
Facebook Moments was a private photo sharing app launched by Facebook in 2015 but discontinued on February 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-is-shutting-down-its-moments-photo-app-on-feb-25/|title=Facebook is shutting down its Moments app|last=Nieva|first=Richard|date=January 24, 2019|website=CNET|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> The app was powered by Facebook's facial recognition technology to group photos and let users easily share them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36256765|title=Facebook Moments facial-recognition app launches in Europe|last=Kelion|first=Leo|date=May 10, 2016|website=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
=== Facebook Gaming ===
In 2018, Facebook launched Facebook Gaming officially on June 1, 2018 with a pool of gaming streamers including [[Darkness429]], [[Stonemountain64]], ThePoolshark, and [[Alodia Gosiengfiao]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2018/06/07/facebook-launches-fb-gg-gaming-video-hub-to-compete-with-twitch/|title=Facebook launches Fb.gg gaming video hub to compete with Twitch|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/gaming/facebook-is-planning-to-take-on-twitch-with-its-new-gaming-section-and-monetisation-opportunities-for-streamers-4501793.html|title=Facebook is expected to launch its game-streaming platform and Twitch competitor at E3 2018- Technology News, Firstpost|date=2018-06-08|website=Tech2|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-14-facebook-announces-new-gaming-tab|title=Facebook launching new Gaming Tab|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref>
Facebook Gaming or fb.gg is Facebook's take on gaming livestreams where gamers and fans interact. Facebook launched it as a tab on the Facebook app and a standalone app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/14/in-a-challenge-to-twitch-and-youtube-facebook-adds-gaming-to-its-main-navigation/|title=In a challenge to Twitch and YouTube, Facebook adds ‘Gaming’ to its main navigation|last=Perez|first=Sarah|date=March 15, 2019|website=TechCrunch|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> It also has an In-stream Rewards feature where viewers are gifted in-game rewards while watching streams with ''[[Mobile Legends: Bang Bang]]'' being a part of pioneering the feature as mentioned by Jack Li, a Facebook Gaming representative, on Moonton Epicon held last July 18, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/esports/news/2019/07/24/world-championship-revealed-moonton-epicon-2019-59372|title=New Game, Major Update - World Championship and more revealed in MOONTON Epicon 2019: The Future Begins Global Conference|last=|first=|date=Jul 24, 2019|website=ABS-CBN Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> The service became successful in Southeast Asia and has produced internet celebrities like ChooxTv in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reyes|first=Maouie|date=|title=9 streamers you should follow on Facebook Gaming|work=spin.ph|url=https://www.spin.ph/esports/9-streamers-you-should-follow-on-facebook-gaming-a4513-20200215-lfrm|url-status=live|access-date=}}</ref> It has been the official streaming partner for [[MSC 2019]] and other ''Mobile Legends'' esports events. After its competitor [[Youtube gaming]] became the official partner for the ''Mobile Legends: Bang Bang'' World Championship M1, IGN SEA reported in an article that has now been taken down that Facebook Gaming did not allow its streamers to go to the event.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Facebook Gaming forbids creators from attending Mobile Legends World Championship|work=udou|url=https://udou.ph/2019/11/12/facebook-gaming-forbids-creators-from-attending-mobile-legends-world-championship/|url-status=live|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Facebook discourages gaming creators from promoting Mobile Legends World Championship M1|work=IGN Southeast Asia|url=https://sea.ign.com/mobile-legends-world-championship-m1-android/155249/news/facebook-discourages-gaming-creators-from-promoting-mobile-legends-world-championship-m1|url-status=dead|access-date=}}</ref>
In 2019, [[Disguised Toast|Jeremy "DisguisedToast" Wang]] was signed to Facebook Gaming in a surprise move from [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/twitch-loses-star-streamer-to-facebook-gaming-2019-11|title=Twitch just lost another star streamer, this time to Facebook Gaming|last=Reyes|first=Mariel Soto|website=Business Insider|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref> Soon after, Facebook signed ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' star streamer [[Gonzalo Barrios (video game player)|Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28212049/zero-latest-leave-twitch-stream-facebook|title=ZeRo latest to leave Twitch; will stream for Facebook|date=2019-12-02|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref>
== General features ==
=== Facebook dynamic text/type ===
In November 2015 Facebook made changes to their text-only status update on Timeline to allow for adjustable text sizes (dynamic text) on mobile apps.<ref>{{cite web|title=Facebook Accessibility|url=https://www.facebook.com/accessibility/posts/997008960342829|website=Facebook|publisher=Facebook Accessibility|accessdateaccess-date=12 November 2016}}</ref>
=== Credits ===
{{Main|Facebook Credits}}
Facebook Credits are a virtual currency users can use to buy gifts, and [[virtual goods]] in many games and applications on the Facebook platform. As of July 2010, users of Facebook can purchase Facebook credits in [[Australian dollar|Australian Dollars]], [[Pound sterling|British Pounds]], [[Canadian dollar|Canadian Dollars]], [[Chilean peso]], [[Colombian peso]], [[Danish krone]], [[Euro]], [[Hong Kong dollar]], [[Japanese yen]], [[Norwegian krone]], [[Swedish krona]], [[Swiss franc]], [[Turkish lira]], [[United States dollar|US Dollars]], and [[Venezuelan bolívar|Venezuelan Bolivar]]. Facebook credits can be used on many popular games such as Happy Aquarium, Happy Island, Zoo Paradise, Happy Pets, Hello City, It Girl, [[FarmVille]], and [[Mafia Wars]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2010/06/29/social-game-firm-crowdstar-embraces-facebook-credits-in-five-year-agreement/ | title = Social game firm Crowdstar embraces Facebook Credits in five-year agreement |first=Dean |last=Takahashi | date = June 29, 2010 | publisher = venturebeat.com | accessdateaccess-date = July 13, 2010 }}</ref>
=== Feature phones ===
Although like all other website apps [[Facebook]] made its presence on the smartphones as mentioned but also is present for the [[feature phone]]s. As the company said that the feature phones dominate the American cell phone markets hence an app was exclusively made for this purpose as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://axetue.com/2011/04/16/facebook-app-feature-phones/|title=Facebook App for feature phones|publisher=Axetue|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
=== Graph Search ===
{{Main|Facebook Graph Search}}
Released in July 2013, Graph Search allows users to search within their network of friends for answers to natural language questions such as, "Movies my friends who like ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|The Hobbit]]'' liked" and receive direct answers, rather than the list of websites that [[search engine]]s usually provide.<ref>[http://kdvr.com/2013/07/12/facebook-graph-search-now-available/ Facebook ‘Graph Search’ now available], July 12, 2013, by CNN Wire</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/15/facebook-announces-its-third-pillar-graph-search/ |title=Facebook Announces Its Third Pillar 'Graph Search' That Gives You Answers, Not Links Like Google |date=15 January 2013 |work=TechCrunch |accessdateaccess-date=16 January 2013}}</ref>
=== IPv6 ===
According to a June 2010 report by ''[[Network World]]'', Facebook said that it was offering "experimental, non-production" support for [[IPv6]], the long-anticipated upgrade to the Internet's main [[communications protocol]]. The news about Facebook's IPv6 support was expected; Facebook told ''Network World'' in February 2010, that it planned to support native IPv6 user requests "by the midpoint of this year".<ref name="duffy">{{cite web | last = Duffy Marsan | first = Carolyn | title = Facebook adds IPv6 support | url = http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/061110-facebook-ipv6.html?hpg1=bn | work = Network World | accessdateaccess-date = June 28, 2010 | date = June 11, 2010 }}</ref>
In a presentation at the Google IPv6 Implementors Conference, Facebook's network engineers said it was "easy to make [the] site available on v6". Facebook said it deployed dual-stack [[IPv4]] and IPv6 support on its routers, and that it made no changes to its hosts in order to support IPv6. Facebook also said it was supporting an emerging encapsulation mechanism known as [[Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol]] (LISP), which separates Internet addresses from endpoint identifiers to improve the scalability of IPv6 deployments. "Facebook was the first major Web site on LISP (v4 and v6)", Facebook engineers said during their presentation.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Facebook said that using LISP allowed them to deploy IPv6 services quickly with no extra cost. Facebook's IPv6 services are available at www.v6.facebook.com m.v6.facebook.com, www.lisp6.facebook.com and m.lisp6.facebook.com.<ref name="duffy"/> In addition, Facebook enabled IPv6 on its main domain names during [[World IPv6 Launch]].
=== Mood faces ===
Facebook chat supports numerous [[emoticon]]s, like (^^^) for a shark. Recently, it has also become possible to post larger, animated images through Facebook's built in emotion system.
* At one time, entering the [[Konami Code]] followed by Enter at the home page caused a lensflare-style series of circles to display when clicking, typing, or scrolling.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://techcrunch.com/2009/05/08/the-konami-code-strikes-again-facebook-adds-some-flare/ | title = The Konami Code Strikes Again: Facebook Adds Some Flare | work = techcrunch.com | date = May 8, 2009 | accessdateaccess-date = December 24, 2010 }}</ref>
* Asking "how is babby formed?" with the Questions feature released September 23, 2010, will [[Rickroll]] the user.
* A user can change his/her language to upside down English.
=== Poke and Greetings {{anchor|Poke}} ===
Since Facebook's inception, users have had the ability to "poke" other users. The feature, its actual purpose never officially explained by the company, served as a quick way to attract the attention of another user.<ref>{{cite web |first=Forrest |last=Wickman |title=What Was "Poking"? |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/02/facebook_s_poke_function_still_a_mystery_on_the_social_network_s_10th_anniversary.html |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |publisher=[[The Slate Group]] |date=February 4, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> In a 2007 opinion article in ''[[The Guardian]]'', Facebook explained to a question about the "poke" that "When we created the poke, we thought it would be cool to have a feature without any specific purpose. ... People interpret the poke in many different ways, and we encourage you to come up with your own meanings."<ref>{{cite web |first=Ros |last=Taylor |title=Companions through the ages |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/aug/30/companionsthroughtheages |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=August 30, 2007 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> The feature was never removed from Facebook; in December 2017, the company gave the button a significantly more prominent placement on users' profiles,<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Facebook is trying to make the Poke happen again |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/11/facebook-is-trying-to-make-the-poke-happen-again/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 11, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> along with new forms of quick interactions, including "hug", "wink" and "high-five", collectively all referred to as "Greetings".<ref>{{cite web |first=Abhimanyu |last=Ghoshal |title=Facebook’s new ‘Greetings’ buttons are like Pokes on steroids |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2017/12/07/facebooks-testing-greetings-buttons-that-are-like-pokes-on-steroids/ |website=The Next Web |date=December 7, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== Smartphone integration ===
Many [[smartphone]]s offer access to the Facebook services either through their respective web browsers or through [[mobile app]]s.
The [[iPhone]]-compatible website was launched in August 2007, followed by a dedicated [[iOS]] app in July 2008.<ref>{{cite web |first=Charles |last=Arthur |title=Facebook's mobile journey has only just begun, but already makes money |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/03/facebook-mobile-desktop-pc-platforms |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=February 3, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> The early mobile website was severely limited in its feature set, only gaining the ability to post comments in late 2008, a year after launch.<ref name="Mashable mobile history">{{cite web |first=Taylor |last=Casti |title=The Evolution of Facebook Mobile |url=http://mashable.com/2013/08/01/facebook-mobile-evolution/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=August 1, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> By 2009, other companies had developed Facebook mobile apps for Nokia, HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Windows Mobile devices, though a significant portion of Facebook's userbase was still using the original mobile website.<ref name="Mashable mobile history" /> During the early success of app stores, Facebook gambled on the idea of a universal webpage rather than specific operating systems, choosing to maintain its primary focus on its mobile site. CEO [[Mark Zuckerberg]] told ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' that such a decision was "probably one of the biggest mistakes we've ever made".<ref name="Mashable mobile history" /> While the app was experiencing significant criticism for [[software bug]]s and [[Crash (computing)|crashes]], Facebook began its "Facebook for Every Phone" initiative in January 2011, designing an app for a large number of [[feature phone]]s. As [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and iOS rose in popularity, Facebook shifted its focus, creating dedicated apps for each platform. However, Facebook was still not entirely convinced, using a "hybrid" solution of [[Native (computing)|native computing code]] as a sort of "picture frame" for its mobile website. ''[[Mashable]]'' described it as a "one-size-fits-all nightmare".<ref name="Mashable mobile history" /> In October 2011, Facebook updated its iOS app with support for [[iPad]], adding larger photos and enabling more functionality, including the ability to post status updates and photos.<ref name="Mashable mobile history" /> Finally, in 2012, the company relaunched its Android and iOS apps, going mobile-first and putting all of its resources into making an optimized experience for smartphones, including significant speed improvements.<ref name="Mashable mobile history" /> In the years since, the company has increasingly expanded the feature set of its apps, dedicating more resources and seeing its userbase shifting from the mobile web to its apps.<ref name="Mashable mobile history" />
Third-party companies also created Facebook apps for their platforms. [[Microsoft]] developed a Facebook app for their [[Windows Phone 7]] platform in February 2012,<ref>{{cite web |first=Emil |last=Protalinski |title=Facebook for Windows Phone version 2.3 is out |url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/facebook-for-windows-phone-version-2-3-is-out/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=February 14, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> [[Nokia]] offered a Facebook app on its [[Ovi (Nokia)|Ovi Store]] for Nokia [[S60 (software platform)|S60 devices]] in June 2009,<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Holliday |title=Nokia Adds Facebook to the Ovi App Store |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/nokia-adds-facebook-to-the-ovi-app-store/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=June 3, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> while [[BlackBerry Limited|BlackBerry]] also offered a Facebook application for its software platform in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web |first=Emil |last=Protalinski |title=RIM updates Facebook for BlackBerry with refreshed icons, enhanced birthday alerts, Event support |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2012/09/13/rim-updates-facebook-blackberry-refreshed-icons-enhanced-birthday-alerts-event-support/ |website=The Next Web |date=September 13, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref>
=== Fundraising ===
In December 2013, Facebook enabled a "Donate" button for charities and non-profit organizations to raise money.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Launches "Donate" Button For Non-Profits That Also Collects Billing Info For Itself |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/16/facebook-donate-now-button/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 16, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> Approximately two years later, the company released a new fundraiser feature, exclusively allowing non-profits to set up campaign pages and collect payments.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Wait, Did Facebook Just Build A Kickstarter Competitor? |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/18/facestarter/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=November 18, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Claire |last=Zillman |title=With New 'Donate' Button, Facebook Vies to Become Hub for Charitable Giving |url=http://fortune.com/2015/11/18/facebook-donate/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=November 18, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> This was expanded in June 2016, when anyone could set up fundraisers on behalf of non-profit organizations,<ref>{{cite web |first=Megan Rose |last=Dickey |title=Facebook now lets you fundraise on behalf of non-profit organizations |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/30/facebook-now-lets-you-fundraise-on-behalf-of-non-profit-organizations/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=June 30, 2016 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> and again expanded in March 2017 to offer personal users in the United States the ability to raise money, as well as for Facebook Pages to add a "Donate" button to their [[List of Facebook features#Live streaming|Facebook Live video streams]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Facebook introduces personal fundraising tools, donate buttons in Facebook Live for Pages |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/30/facebook-introduces-personal-fundraising-tools-donate-buttons-in-facebook-live/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=March 30, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Kaya |last=Yurieff |title=Facebook launches personal fundraising tool |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/03/30/technology/facebook-personal-fundraising/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] |date=March 30, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> In May, fundraisers were expanded with support for communities and sports teams,<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Facebook’s personal fundraisers exit beta, now support raising money for sports teams & communities |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/24/facebooks-personal-fundraisers-exit-beta-now-support-raising-money-for-sports-teams-communities/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=May 24, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> and subsequently, in September, expanded internationally for charities in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jane |last=Dudman |title=Facebook to roll out donate buttons to UK and European users |url=https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2017/sep/12/facebook-donate-buttons-uk-charities |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=September 12, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref>
=== Status updates ===
"Status updates" (also called as a "status") allows users to post messages for their friends to read. In turn, friends can respond with their own comments, as well as clicking the "Like" button. A user's most recent updates appear at the top of their Timeline/Wall and are also noted in the "Recently Updated" section of a user's friend list. Originally, the purpose of the feature was to allow users to inform their friends of their current "status", including feelings, whereabouts, or actions, where Facebook prompted the status update with "''Username'' is"... and users filled in the rest. This feature first became available in September 2006, though on December 13, 2007, the requirement to start a status update with ''is'' was removed.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,22822400-5014108,00.html | title=Facebook is... reconsidering the word ''is'' | accessdateaccess-date=2007-12-13 | first=Andrew | last=Ramadge | date=2007-11-26 }}</ref>
The ''is'' updates were followed by the "What are you doing right now?" status update question; in March 2009, the question was changed to "What's on your mind?"<ref>{{ cite news | first=Claire | last=Suddath | title=Facebook Wants to Read Your Mind | date=2009-03-13 | work =Time | url =http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1885010,00.html | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-02-24 }}</ref> In 2009, Facebook added the feature to tag certain friends (or groups, etc.) within one's status update by adding an ''@'' character before their name, turning the friend's name into a link to their profile and including the message on the friend's wall. Tagging has since been updated to recognize friends' names by typing them into a status while a list of friends whose names match the inputted letters appears. A large percentage of the updates that are posted are humorous and as a result, many apps, websites and books have sprung up to help users to update their own.
=== Subscribe ===
In September 2011, Facebook launched a "Subscribe" button, allowing users to follow public updates from people without requiring a Facebook friendship connection.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook Launches Twitter-Like ‘Subscriptions’, Lets You Share With Unlimited Users |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/14/facebook-launches-twitter-like-subscriptions-lets-you-share-with-unlimited-users/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=September 14, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Parr |title=Facebook Launches Subscribe Button for Following Anyone's Public Updates |url=http://mashable.com/2011/09/14/facebook-subscribe-button/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=September 14, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> The feature was expanded to Pages in July 2012,<ref>{{cite web |first=Brittany |last=Darwell |title=Facebook tests subscribe button for pages to make it easier for users to receive updates without clicking Like |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-tests-subscribe-button-for-pages-to-allow-users-to-receive-updates-without-clicking-like/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=July 24, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> and to stories in the News Feed in August 2012.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brittany |last=Darwell |title=Facebook adds ‘subscribe to page’ button to News Feed stories |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-adds-subscribe-to-page-button-to-news-feed-stories/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=August 22, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Ticker ===
In September 2011, Facebook launched the "Ticker", a continually-updated feed on the right side of the screen showing friends' activities, including "likes", status updates, and comments.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook News Feed Gets Smarter— And The Ticker Makes Its Big Debut |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/20/facebook-news-feed-gets-smarter%E2%80%94%C2%A0and-the-ticker-makes-its-big-debut/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=September 20, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> The feed was criticized by users for offering a quiet way to stalk users' every move, prompting the company to consider removing it in a March 2013 redesign, though never did.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Redesign Kills Ticker, Almost |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/08/facebook-ticker-disappeared/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=March 8, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> In December 2017, the company officially ended the "Ticker" feature, though quietly and without an announcement or explanation.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |title=Time’s up for the Ticker? Facebook appears to axe feed for tracking your friends’ activity |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/10/times-up-for-facebook-ticker/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 10, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Dent |title=Facebook's 'ticker,' aka creeper feed, is no more |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/11/facebook-ticker-feed-killed/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 11, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== URL shortener ===
Starting June 2009, Facebook lets users choose a username specifically for their profile, enabling them to share links bearing their own www.facebook.com/username URL address.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Parr |title=Facebook to Launch Vanity URLs for All |url=http://mashable.com/2009/06/09/facebook-vanity-urls/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=June 9, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> There are limitations, however, to what usernames can be used, including only alphanumerical characters (A-Z, 0–9), a length of over five characters, only one username that is unique to the profile, and must adhere to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities agreement.<ref>{{cite web |title=What are the guidelines around creating a custom username for my Page or profile? |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/105399436216001 |website=Facebook Help Center |publisher=[[Facebook]] |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> The following December, Facebook launched its own [[URL shortener]] based on the FB.me domain name.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Parr |title=fb.me: Facebook Now Has Its Own URL Shortener |url=http://mashable.com/2009/12/14/fb-me/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=December 14, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Eric |last=Eldon |title=Facebook Testing New URL Shortener, fb.me |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/facebook-testing-new-url-shortener-fb-me/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=December 14, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Verified accounts ===
''[[TechCrunch]]'' reported in February 2012 that Facebook would introduce a "Verified Account" concept, denoting official pages for public figures. Such pages gain more prominence in the "People To Subscribe To" suggestions lists. Persons with established stage names, such as Stefani Germanotta known as [[Lady Gaga]], can also choose to use their specific stage name for their profile, with the real name in the profile's "About" page. However, at the time, the feature did not show any visual signs of distinction from other pages.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook Launches Verified Accounts and Pseudonyms |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/02/15/facebook-verified-accounts-alternate-names/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=February 15, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Emil |last=Protalinski |title=Facebook to launch verified accounts, pseudonyms |url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/facebook-to-launch-verified-accounts-pseudonyms/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=February 15, 2012 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> In May 2013, the concept was updated to include a blue checkmark badge to highlight the account's Verified status.<ref>{{cite web |first=Darrell |last=Etherington |title=Facebook Unveils Verified Pages And Profiles, Takes A Page From Twitter’s Playbook |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/29/facebook-unveils-verified-pages-and-profiles-takes-a-page-from-twitters-playbook/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=May 29, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Seifert |title=Facebook launches verified pages and profiles for prominent public figures and brands |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/29/4376526/facebook-verified-pages-profiles |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 29, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> In October 2015, Facebook introduced a "gray badge" verification system for local businesses with physical addresses, with the gray color intended to differentiate from its typical blue checkmarks assigned to celebrities, public figures, sports teams and media organizations.<ref>{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Beck |title=New: Facebook Is Rolling Out Verified Badges For Local Business Pages |url=https://marketingland.com/new-facebook-is-rolling-out-verified-badges-for-local-business-pages-145276 |website=Marketing Land |date=October 6, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref>
=== Hash-tagging support ===
In June 2013, Facebook introduced its support for clickable [[hashtag]]s to help users search for topics being actively discussed on the social network.<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Warman |title=Facebook hashtags #introduced |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/10117483/Facebook-hashtags-introduced.html |website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=June 13, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Christina |last=Warren |title=Facebook Finally Gets Hashtag Support |url=http://mashable.com/2013/06/12/facebook-hashtag-support/ |website=[[Mashable]] |date=June 12, 2013 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Impressum ===
In March 2014, some page administrators in Italy started being prompted to add an [[impressum]] to their Facebook page, described as "a legally mandated statement of the ownership and authorship of a document".<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Cohen |title=‘Impressum’ Added To Facebook Page Descriptions For Some Pages In Italy? |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/impressum/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=March 27, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
===Tor hidden service===
{{Main|facebookcorewwwi.onion}}
In October 2014, Facebook announced that users could connect to the website through a [[Tor hidden service]] using the privacy-protecting [[Tor browser]] and encrypted using [[Secure Sockets Layer|SSL]].<ref name="ars-tor">{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Lemos |title=Facebook offers hidden service to Tor users |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2014/10/facebook-offers-hidden-service-to-tor-users/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=October 31, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="zdnet-tor">{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Duckett |title=Facebook sets up hidden service for Tor users |url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/facebook-sets-up-hidden-service-for-tor-users/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=October 31, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref> Announcing the feature, Facebook engineer [[Alec Muffett]] said that "Facebook's onion address provides a way to access Facebook through Tor without losing the cryptographic protections provided by the Tor cloud. [...] It provides end-to-end communication, from your browser directly into a Facebook datacenter."<ref name="ars-tor" /><ref name="zdnet-tor" />
=== "Say Thanks" ===
In November 2014, Facebook introduced "Say Thanks", an experience that lets user create personalized video greeting cards for friends on Facebook.<ref>{{cite web |first=Stuart |last=Dredge |title=Facebook's Say Thanks: shared social celebration from clowns to sausages |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/13/facebook-say-thanks-friends-video-cards |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=November 13, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Call-to-Action button ===
In December 2014, Facebook announced that Pages run by businesses can display a so-called "call-to-action button" next to the page's like button. "Call to action" is a customizable button that lets page administrators add external links for easy visitor access to the business' primary objective, with options ranging from "Book Now", "Contact Us", "Use App", "Play Game", "Shop Now", "Sign Up", and "Watch Video".<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Cohen |title=Facebook Debuts Call-to-Action Buttons for Pages |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/page-admins-create-call-to-action-buttons/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=December 11, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> Initially only rolled out in the United States, the feature was expanded internationally in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Get the Most out of Your Facebook Page’s Call to Action Button |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-facebook-pages-call-to-action-button/ |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |date=February 25, 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Snooze ===
In September 2017, Facebook began testing a "Snooze" button, letting users temporarily unfollow friends for 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days.<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Facebook ‘Snooze’ button temporarily hides people in your feed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/14/facebook-snooze/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=September 14, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Welch |title=Facebook is testing a snooze feature that temporarily mutes your friends |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/14/16307604/facebook-snooze-new-feature |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=September 14, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> The following December, the feature was enabled for all users, though the period of temporary unfollowing is specifically for 30 days.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Facebook adds a Snooze button for muting people, groups and Pages for 30 days |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/15/facebook-adds-a-snooze-button-for-muting-people-groups-and-pages-for-30-days/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 15, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Natt |last=Garun |title=Facebook's new Snooze button can mute annoying friends for 30 days |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/15/16780710/facebook-snooze-button-temporarily-mute-friends |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=December 15, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== "Did You Know?" social questionnaires ===
In response to decreased use of status updates on Facebook, the company began enabling "Did You Know?" social questionnaires in December 2017. The feature, which asks users to answer questions that are then shared as a status update, includes such questions as "The superpower I want most is...", "The first thing I’d do after winning the lottery is...", and "A guilty pleasure that I’m willing to admit to is..."<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucas |last=Matney |title=As tbh popularity wanes, Facebook launches ‘Did You Know’ social questionnaire |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/05/as-tbh-popularity-wanes-facebook-launches-did-you-know-social-questionnaire/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 5, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Mariella |last=Moon |title=Facebook is asking random questions to learn more about you |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/06/facebook-did-you-know-feature/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 6, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== Sound Collection music archive ===
In December 2017, Facebook announced "Sound Collection"; an archive of copyright- and payment-free soundtracks and audio effects its users can use in their videos.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sarah |last1=Perez |first2=Josh |last2=Constine |title=Facebook Sound Collection lets you add no-name music to videos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/08/facebook-sound-collection/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 8, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Timothy J. |last=Seppala |title=Facebook adds a sound and music library you can use for video |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/08/facebook-video-tools/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=December 8, 2017 |accessdateaccess-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
=== Off-Facebook Activity ===
== Security ==
On May 12, 2011, Facebook announced that it is launching several new security features designed to protect users from malware and from getting their accounts hijacked.<ref name="elinor">{{cite web | url=http://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-adds-new-user-security-features/ | title=Facebook adds new user security features | publisher=[[CBS News]] | date=May 12, 2011 | accessdateaccess-date=March 16, 2015 | author=Mills, Elinor}}</ref>
Facebook will display warnings when users are about to be duped by clickjacking and cross-site scripting attacks in which they think they are following a link to an interesting news story or taking action to see a video and instead end up spamming their friends.<ref name=elinor/>
== Removed features ==
=== Email ===
In February 2010, ''[[TechCrunch]]'' reported that Facebook was working to rewrite its messaging service to turn it into a "fully featured webmail product", dubbed "Project Titan".<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Arrington |authorlinkauthor-link=Michael Arrington |title=Facebook's Project Titan: A Full Featured Webmail Product |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/05/facebooks-project-titan-a-full-featured-webmail-product/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=February 5, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref> The feature, unofficially dubbed a "[[Gmail]] killer" internally, was launched on November 15, 2010,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Facebook's Gmail Killer, Project Titan, Is Coming On Monday |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/11/facebook-gmail-titan/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=November 11, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref> and allowed users to directly communicate with each other via Facebook using several different methods. Users could create their own "username@facebook.com" [[email address]] to communicate, use text messaging, or through the Facebook website or mobile app's instant messaging chat. All messages were contained within single [[Conversation threading|threads]] in a unified inbox.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Adam |last1=Gabbatt |first2=Charles |last2=Arthur |title=Facebook mail: it might kill Gmail, but 'it's not email' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/nov/15/facebook-mail-gmail-killer-email |website=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=November 15, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> The email service was terminated in February 2014 because of low uptake.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ellis |last=Hamburger |title=Facebook retires its troubled @facebook.com email service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/2/24/5443454/facebook-retires-its-email-service |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=February 24, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ken |last=Yeung |title=Facebook ends its @facebook.com email address service, citing low usage by users |url=https://thenextweb.com/facebook/2014/02/24/facebook-ends-facebook-com-email-address-service-citing-low-usage-users/ |website=The Next Web |date=February 24, 2014 |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2017}}</ref>
=== FBML ===
=== Lite ===
In August 2009, Facebook announced the rollout of a "lite" version of the site, optimized for users on slower or intermittent Internet connections. Facebook Lite offered fewer services, excluded most third-party applications and required less [[bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]].<ref name="BBCLite">{{ cite news | title = Facebook slims down to Facebook Lite | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8249835.stm | date = September 11, 2009 | publisher = BBC | accessdateaccess-date = September 12, 2009 }}</ref> A beta version of the slimmed-down interface was released first to invited testers<ref>{{cite web|first=Ben |last=Parr | url = http://mashable.com/2009/08/12/facebook-lite-screenshots/ | title = Facebook Lite: The Early Details and Screenshots | publisher = Mashable.com | date = 2009-08-12 | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-03-23 }}</ref> before a broader rollout across users in the United States, Canada, and India.<ref name="BBCLite"/> It was announced on April 20, 2010, that support for the "lite" service had ended and that users would be redirected back to the normal, full content, Facebook website. The service was operational for only eight months.
In June 2015, this feature was reintroduced as an app with a total size of less than 1MB, primarily focusing markets where internet access is slow or limited.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsroom.fb.com/company-info/|title=Company Info – Facebook Newsroom|publisher=|accessdateaccess-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>
=== Deals ===
Facebook announced a pilot program called ''Deals'', which offered online coupons and discounts from local businesses, at an event at its Palo Alto office on 3 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/03/facebook-deals/|title=The Other Location Shoe Drops: Facebook Deals. Will It Discount Rivals?|first=MG|last=Siegler|date=3 November 2010|work=TechCrunch|accessdateaccess-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>
Deals launched on April 25, 2011, in five cities—[[Atlanta]], [[Austin]], [[Dallas]], [[San Diego]], and [[San Francisco]]—with the hope of expanding. This new offering was a direct competitor to other social commerce sites such as [[LivingSocial]] and [[Groupon]] for online coupons and [[one deal a day|deals-of-the-day]]. Facebook users were able to use [[Facebook Credits]] to purchase vouchers that could be redeemed for real goods and services.<ref>{{ cite news | first = Miguel | last = Helft | title = Facebook Is Latest Rival to Groupon and LivingSocial | date = April 25, 2011 | work = [[The New York Times]] | url = http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/facebook-is-latest-rival-to-groupon-livingsocial-facebook/ | accessdateaccess-date = 2011-04-26 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news | first = Tom | last = Cheredar | title = Facebook launches Deals against Groupon and LivingSocial in five major cities | date = April 25, 2011 | url = https://venturebeat.com/2011/04/25/facebook-launches-deals/ | work = VentureBeat | accessdateaccess-date = 2011-04-26 }}</ref>
Deals expanded to Charlotte, St. Louis and Minneapolis in late June 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2011/06/29/facebook-deals-charlotte-st-louis-minneapolis/?europe=true|title=Facebook Deals Expands to 3 More Cities|first=Lauren|last=Indvik|work=Mashable|date=29 June 2011|accessdateaccess-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>
Facebook closed the Deals program on 26 August 2011, describing the product as a "test."<ref>{{cite web|title=Facebook ending Deals product after four-month test|first=Alistair|last=Barr|work=Reuters|date=26 August 2011|accessdateaccess-date=7 October 2019|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-deals/facebook-ending-deals-product-after-four-month-test-idUSTRE77P6Q820110826}}</ref>
== References ==
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