The world’s most popular social media platform, Facebook, is testing a new update that will simplify the content promotion process.
Facebook is at a crucial point in its evolution. While critics are crying foul over the platform’s lack of content oversight, others are upset that content shared on the world’s most popular social media platform doesn’t reach enough eyes. Figuring out how to make everyone happy is a job we’re so glad not to have, but someone has to do it.
Recently, one Facebook user noticed a new sharing feature. It appears that Facebook is currently testing a new tool that would allow users to share content to multiple groups at once. That is a major change from the current UI, which requires users to create unique posts for each group where they wish to share their content. You can view a screenshot of the new feature below:
Simplifying sharing is typically a welcomed change, but is that true in light of Facebook’s trouble with misinformation?
On the one hand, Facebook’s latest development will allow musicians to quickly share their latest content with many different groups at one time, thus shortening the time required for marketing on the platform.
However, nothing is stopping someone from promoting a fake story about zombies from outer space living in the basements of public schools using the same tool.
Many online have pointed out that Facebook-owned WhatsApp launched a similar feature in 2019. After many complaints, however, the company changed course. In January 2020, WhatsApp limited forwarded posts to 5 times per message, and the results showed that the idea was very effective. According to WhatsApp:
“Since putting into place the new limit, globally, there has been a 70% reduction in the number of highly forwarded messages sent on WhatsApp. This change is helping keep WhatsApp a place for personal and private conversations.”
How Facebook attempts to prevent the spread of misinformation while simplifying sharing remains to be seen. Since the cross-posting feature in this story is still in testing, the company may implement new review efforts before launching the update. Stay tuned.
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