Facebook has updated our profiles to give our friends a quick snapshot of who we are. Our current and previous employers, our martial status, education, interests, favorite teams, etc are now showcased at the top of our profile. Previously this information was contained on our profiles to the left in our bio. If you do not have the new profile, you may opt in and update, however, once you update to the new profile, you cannot change back to the old one.
Breaking the Ice
When we first meet people we seek that common interest. There has to be one, right? Facebook eliminates the searching for the common ground and introduces you to new friends by displaying your basic information at the top of your profile. All of the informati0on displayed was already contained within your profile (providing you added it) but now it is front and center for everyone to see. Your martial status with a photo of your spouse, your employer, favorite teams, education, photos you've been tagged in recently all will be contained in the top of your profile above your status updates.
Facebook Tagged Photos
Being tagged in a photo on Facebook just got new meaning. Previously, you were tagged in a photo and it showed up on your wall and you commented to the person who tagged you and we all had a great laugh. Now, photos that you have been tagged in are displayed at the top of your profile beneath your introductionary bio but above your status.You can opt out and not have a photo displayed by simply rolling over it and clicking "X." Note: the photo will still be in your "photos" unless deleted by the person wh posted it. Concerned about privacy? Facebook insists that your privacy has not been compromised as only people you've allowed to view photos you're tagged in will see the photos.
Facebook Featured Friends
Now you and your BFF can be Facebook featured friends. You can also tag family members as a family member (drop down list is provided), categorize friends as to where you know them from (ie work, school, a conference, etc) and still create groups that contain teammates, shared interests and as well as feature existing friends list. The focus around the featured friends is to bring a visual experience to your profile as once you are tagged in a group, featured or not, your photo appears in that group and that appears on your profile.
Sharing Experiences
Facebook is yearning for us to share so much about us through our profiles. Where we are currently employed, our previous employers, our colleges/universities, high school and with each of these adding who we work with, attended classes with as well as individual classes that you liked. There is a lot of information that you can share but the main feature is with who so Facebook can link you together. Thus far, I have not found a way to opt out of being linked in such a manner. Your privacy is not necessarily being compromised unless you did not want the entire world of Facebook to know that you worked at McDonald's in high school.
Sharing Interests
Facebook has always wanted to know what interests you. The newly updated profiles are no different. Your interests are shared through updating your profile as well as liking a page. Facebooks Like and Link has been around for a while so as a refresh, when you like a page, you are linked to that page and it is displayed on your profile. They have added some new interests with your favorite sports teams and favorite players. Facebook prompts you to add this information and continues to leave the alert to update the information when you have opted to leave it blank. Once you enter the information, it is displayed.
The new profile pages focus in on the visual experience with the photos. Your life in photos of sorts as with each team, television show, book, band, etc, their avatar is displayed on your profile for everyone to see. As said above, this information has already been contained within your profile should you have completed it. It is now just front and center so friends get a taste for who you are and what interests you. I suppose that this will give a bit of a nudge to people to update their information to include their hometown, current city, religious and political views and proudly display their Facebook featured friends.
What do you think? Is this Facebook redesign a means of pushing us to update our information and give Facebook a chance to display our lives in photos?
Facebook logo sticker photo credit: jaycameron