Facebook has given its news feed a makeover, upgraded its Creator Studio and introduced online shops, marking a series of moves set to benefit marketers.
The social media platform revamped its desktop news feed in May, streamlining its navigation to make it easier to find videos, games and groups.
“Recently we’d focused on the mobile Facebook experience, and realised our desktop site had fallen behind,” the company said in an announcement.
“People need it to keep up.”
The makeover includes a new dark mode, allowing Facebook users to minimise screen glare in low light conditions.
Facebook said the update also allows users to manage pages, groups and events better, with new options such as previewing a new group in real time and seeing what it looks like on mobile for creating it.
Upgrade to creator studio
Facebook also updated its Creator Studio app, so that users can create posts within the latest version of the app.
The program, which was launched earlier this year, was intended to make it easier for users to manage Facebook and Instagram posts.
However, the app drew criticism for not allowing users to actually create posts within it.
Creator Studio now brings together all the tools that users need to post, manage, monetise, and measure content across Facebook pages and Instagram accounts.
Facebook also updated its video post capabilities, with new video metadata fields and thumbnail selection options.
Facebook Shops opens for business
The social media giant has also introduced its new Facebook Shops to help businesses set up online stores.
The move is Facebook’s latest foray into e-commerce, building on its existing Marketplace and Instagram’s e-commerce functionality.
Businesses can set up a Facebook Shop for free, select the products they want to feature and tailor the look of their online store.
Shop owners can choose a cover image and accent colours to customise their online store.
Shoppers can find Facebook Shops on a business’ Facebook page or Instagram profile, save items to come back to and place orders.
Facebook is currently rolling out its Shops feature, which will become more widely available in the coming months.
All images courtesy of Facebook.