In a move that echoes its original mission, Facebook is rolling out a redesigned ‘Friends’ tab — a nostalgic nod to its early days when connecting with friends was at the core of the experience. The company announced the update via its official blog, promising a return to a more personal and social Facebook.
A Step Back to Move Forward: Reviving the OG Facebook Era
Over the years, Facebook has evolved into a hub for videos, groups, and commerce via Marketplace, but users have increasingly felt disconnected from the platform’s original purpose — personal relationships. With this update, Facebook is signaling a renewed commitment to bringing friendship back to the forefront, starting with users in the United States and Canada, and expanding globally in the months ahead.
What’s New in the ‘Friends’ Tab?
The revamped Friends tab is now more than just a place for friend requests. It will serve as a central hub for content from your actual friends, including:
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Stories and Reels
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Feed posts
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Birthday reminders
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Friend requests
Importantly, this feed will exclude posts from pages, groups, or suggested content, focusing solely on real-life social connections. Positioned front and center on the navigation bar and available in the Bookmarks section, this tab aims to make it easier to engage with the people who matter most.
How to Pin the ‘Friends’ Tab for Easy Access
Users can customize their tab bar to keep the new Friends tab within easy reach:
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Tap your profile picture in the home feed.
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Go to Settings & Privacy → Settings.
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Select Tab Bar and pin the Friends tab.
What This Means for Facebook’s Future
With competition from platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, Facebook’s renewed emphasis on personal interaction is a strategic move to reconnect with its user base. This update is just the beginning — the company has promised more features this year designed to rekindle authentic engagement and make the platform feel more “social” again.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned TECHNOLOGY journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.