The Bandages Are Off!

Facebook’s facelift has been revealed! As Gizmodo puts it, “it’s bigger (truly, wider), brighter, and overall more eye-strangling. It’s full of news. It’s full of sections.” So it’s pretty much like a newspaper. Hardly anyone seems to read print newspapers anymore, but maybe more people will read the Facebook newspaper.

Visual improvements include less clutter. And on top of that, the web version will now match the mobile version more closely. Photo albums are bigger now with more thumbnails so you can get a better idea of what your friends have been doing and where. Also, when a friend shows up on your news feed, there will be more information about them because their entire Timeline badge is pulled over.

The new News Feed will be filled with high-resolution photos, videos, music, and apps. It seems that Facebook is aiming to be much more visual and plain text statuses will end up looking boring. The stories you’ve commented on and shared will provide Facebook with information to suggest stories to you right in the News Feed. This seems like quite the benefit for marketers looking to target specific fans. If Facebook will suggest stories based on your shares and likes, it sounds like marketing heaven.

Facebook will also be splitting the feed into four categories: Music, Photos, Games, and Friends. And if you want news that’s only from people you don’t know, such as brands and celebrities you can filter that too. Again, marketers’ heaven or what? But I mean, who really wants to see news that is only from brands? Don’t most people go on Facebook to stalk friends and family?

Does a split up of categories just mean more ads though? I’m sure each section will have its own ads. Facebook says, “vibrant new visuals bring your News Feed to life.” Does that mean ads will come to life, too? I wonder if this will allow ads to integrate better or just get in the way even more?

Interested in the new look? If you want the new News Feed early, you can find more information and sign up here. Or, as some commenters have been saying, you can just sign up for Google+ since the new Facebook looks a lot like it.