It’s become a part of our lives. It’s more than just an information and opinion-basing platform. It is, in fact, a major employment provider to one and all. And if you thought about it- you’d find that it’s not even a habit solely for everyone.
Facebook has greatly changed the way we converse, interact and exchange information with one another in an age where technology and communication are at interesting interludes.
At a time where the basic truth or principle element of life hasn’t changed- change is the only constant- Facebook is also embracing change keenly and readily. Even if the constructs of change in its lair arise after a bit of deliberation.
In a news that has easily given a lot many a lot to talk about, it seems that we may no longer be privy to receiving inputs (or information) related to what was ‘trending’ in the world. Trending part of Facebook was since always an important window of information as to what was happening around in the world. It constantly fed information to us all about leading news-points, so to speak. These were elements that for sheer suddenness or importance or significance provided an ascertainment about key events or developments.
Facebook brought it to our notice perceptibly in its effort to add to our know-how. This may no longer continue at all.
Bringing about a sense of synergy between the world and the key events that shape it was encapsulated well by Facebook. This is, as we speak, a remnant of the past- according to newer rules implemented at the Mark Zuckerberg-led outfit. Interestingly, while many of it considered the trending part worthy of its presence and relevance- it is said, the trending section had been a large target of criticism for the company.
Are you surprised? For some surprise region, what came in the public domain regards to the effectiveness of the ‘trending’ section on Facebook was rather shocking. It’s already been assessed that the feature did not lead to a lot many ‘clicks’ and hence, lack of any sizeable traction.
Mr Alex Hardiman, who serves in the capacity of head of news products shared something that not many of us may have known. The trending feature of Facebook was only accessible to 5 countries in the world. Hence, this may have contributed to its lack of popularity, the feature not significantly adding to a change that may have been endeavoured behind its inception. The stats- as they say- never lie. Available barely in a handful of countries, the ‘trending’ part of the dominant social-media platform of our times accounted to only an approximately 1.5 percent of clicks to the media platform’s page.
Surely, this may not have been expected when the concept was initiated, right? A lot of research also underwent in the recent times to understand whether the trending function was serving any real purpose. And therefore, it became apparent that “trending” wasn’t really going anywhere in popularity.
Now what to make of this? Does it actually tell us that Facebook has failed miserably to add something of a real importance or relevance to an audience that may predominantly be wanting or willing to use the platform only for chat and message exchanging or photo posting? Or does that mean that it is less of Facebook’s own fault and the feature’s failing stemming from the somewhat insular nature of Facebook’s users who don’t seem that interested in knowing about the global or ongoing events or key developments?
It’s one of that classic intelligence vs aptitude vs personality-driven interests debates that may never really furnish significant takeaways. And that’s not all about the said matter. Reports are also pointing to the fact that Facebook may actually consider simply re-branding or re-naming the feature by calling it something along the lines of a ‘breaking news’ or something of that matter.
In the first place, when the “Trending” feature was installed on Facebook, it may have been so in order to give Facebook’s users- quick, easy to consume and palatable information about developing stories. Now, that none seem to have actually been drawn to it- does rebranding the offering actually make that much of a sense? Perhaps, that is something that only time could tell.
We leave you with a bit of a news that can be called shocking given its context in Facebook’s homeland- the US. At least, 44 percent of the kids received key information about current, trending news pertaining to the world through Facebook’s Trending section.