Facebook is shuttering its “Trending” topics section, dedicated to giving users a quick look at the news, after the service became “less and less useful,” the company announced on Friday.
The tab had grown outdated and unpopular, according to a blog post from Alex Hardiman, Facebook’s head of News Products. “Trending” only accounted for less than 1.5 percent of clicks for publishers in the five countries it was available (the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and India). Populated by Facebook’s algorithm, “Trending” was at times a major headache for the company — circulating a 9/11 hoax in 2016, just one example. It’s set to close down next week.
In its place, Facebook plans to roll out a few new ways to highlight the news, including a “Breaking News” label that will accompany posts users’ News Feed. The label is currently being tested with 80 publishers in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and India.
Facebook is also testing a new tab called “Today,” aiming to connect users to local news. Facebook Watch, the social network’s year-old video tab, will also start featuring news ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.
“We will soon have a dedicated section on Facebook Watch in the U.S. where people can view live coverage, daily news briefings and weekly deep dives that are exclusive to Watch,” Hardiman said in the blog post.
The announcement comes a day after CEO Mark Zuckerberg reiterated the company’s stance on fighting the spread of misinformation in 2018 at its annual shareholder meeting.
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
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Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.