The new Facebook features every marketer should know about

Author Eva Marchal

Posted Feb 28, 2023

Reads 5.5K

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Social media is constantly changing, and Facebook is no exception. With 21 hidden Facebook features released on June 18, 2020, each update brings opportunities for marketers to tap into ever-changing ways users interact with the platform. With a reading time of just six minutes, this article will explore the latest features that social platforms enable and how they can be used to run successful campaigns that engage audiences.

Over the past year, Facebook has made numerous updates aimed at keeping marketers engaged in their advertising efforts. These features roll out regularly, providing new tools and insights to help businesses reach their target audience more effectively. From augmented reality ads to Instagram shopping tags, Facebook is frequently adding new ways for brands to connect with consumers.

One of the most exciting additions is the secret Facebook inbox known as "Message Requests," where messages from non-Facebook friends end up. Often overlooked by marketers but accessed by many users daily, this feature presents a huge opportunity to engage with potential customers who have reached out in search of information about your product or service.

Unveiling the Secret Facebook Inbox You Never Knew You Had

As a Facebook user, you probably know about the messages icon that lets you see your inbox and conversations. However, did you know that there's a message requests folder where unread messages from non-friends go? Yes, it's true! Facebook sends these messages to a filtered requests click away from your recent tab.

Person Holding Iphone Showing Social Networks Folder

Surprisingly, this message request tab can be folder full of all sorts of messages. From high school flings reaching out after decades to nigerian spammers trying to scam you, this hidden inbox has it all. To access these filtered messages, click on the messages link and select "message requests" from the left field.

Now, here's where it gets really interesting: In 2012, Facebook experimented with allowing members to charge non-friends fees to send them direct inbox messages. The feature was eventually scrapped but what remains is an inbox directly for messages from non-friends who don't want to pay up. So if you're curious about what types of messages are piling up in your message request tab, go ahead and check it out!

Decide Who Manages Your Account After You Pass Away

One unavoidable truth about Facebook and other social networks is that everyone will eventually pass away. Although it's a sad reality, it's important to plan proactively for what happens to your digital affairs after you're gone. That's where the Legacy Contact feature comes in.

Your Legacy Contact is someone you choose to manage your Facebook account after you pass away. This person can do things like pin a post on your profile, respond to friend requests, and update your cover photo with a final image or message. By selecting a trusted friend or family member as your Legacy Contact, you'll rest easy knowing that your Facebook profile will be managed according to your wishes after you're no longer around.

To set up a Legacy Contact on Facebook, go to Settings > General > Manage Account > Edit and select the person you want to appoint as your legacy contact. Alternatively, if you'd rather not have anyone manage your account after death, you can also choose to have Facebook delete it permanently instead. Don't leave these decisions until it's too late – take control of who manages your Facebook account by setting up a Legacy Contact today!

Craft Your Very Own News Feed – Personalized and Relevant!

Are you tired of scrolling through your cluttered news feed, filled with unwanted posts? It's time to clean up your news feed and create a more personalized experience. Facebook offers many direct ways to do that.

Head towards the left rail, choose "edit preferences," and a pop-up screen will appear. Click on "prioritize" and select the people and pages you want to see first in your news feed. This will ensure that their posts appear at the top of your feed.

If there are some people or pages whose posts you don't want to see at all, click on "unfollow people" or "mute annoying posters." These options are available in the top-right corner of each post. By using these features, you can create a clean orderly news feed that shows only what is relevant to you.

Uncover the Individuals Peeking into Your Account

Are you curious about who is taking a peek at your Facebook account? Well, you can find out with just a few clicks on your settings page. Head over to the security folder and select "Where You're Logged In" to see all active Facebook log-ins. This feature provides data on the device type, location browser, and even the time of login. If you spot any suspicious activity, don't hesitate to end activity immediately.

A Boy Watching Her Parents Quarrel

But what if you've forgotten to log out of Facebook on a public laptop or someone else's phone? No worries! You can also use the "End Activity" button to instantly log out of any devices that have access to your account. Stay on top of your Facebook security and keep those prying eyes away from your personal information with these helpful features.

Discover Exciting New Ways to Utilize Facebook Features

Facebook attracts millions of users every day making it one of the most lucrative platforms for brands to market themselves. To keep up with the competition, you need to incorporate Facebook into your marketing strategy check out these 21 hidden Facebook features to make significant Facebook presence improvements.

Back view of unrecognizable man walking towards ancient monument Great Sphinx of Giza

Facebook has creator-focused tools that allow businesses and individuals to create content that resonates with their audience. These tools include features like monetization, video insights, and fan subscriptions. By incorporating these features into your social media platforms, you can enhance your brand's market reach and increase engagement with your followers. Check out our free social media tool kit to learn more about how you can leverage Facebook's creator-focused tools for your business.

Revolutionary Facebook Tools to Boost your Marketing Game

Facebook continues to improve usability for its users, and this includes making marketing a bit easier. With the ways Facebook is making marketing accessible to businesses, it's no wonder why so many are shifting their focus to social media marketing. From ad targeting options to audience insights, there are plenty of tools available to make marketers' lives a bit easier when it comes to making marketing on Facebook more effective.

1. Call to action buttons

One of the most crucial elements of your Facebook page is the Call to Action Button. This button can prompt visitors to take direct action such as booking appointments, sending an email or phone call. To increase conversions, it's essential to create specific CTA buttons for your Facebook page that encourage people to take a specific action.

Did you know that you can edit the button depending on what type of business or service you provide? For example, if you're a restaurant owner, you could have a "Book Now" CTA button that sends visitors directly to your reservation page. You could also use the cover photo on your Facebook page to encourage people to click on your CTA button. These hidden features are powerful tools for businesses looking to increase conversions and send visitors where they need to go.

2. Updates to Live video

Facebook has recently made some updates to its Live video feature, which is great news for Facebook page owners and personal profiles who enjoy broadcasting live events. The platform has introduced a rehearsal feature that lets pages broadcast live before the actual event. This new feature is perfect for page owners who want to avoid much-dreaded technical difficulties during an actual event.

In addition, Facebook page owners can now broadcast live directly from their pages, which was not possible previously. This update means that pages can now share live events with followers in real-time without having to switch back and forth between personal profiles and pages. Facebook has also made it easier for users to conduct test runs before going live. These updates are sure to make the experience of sharing live videos much smoother and stress-free for users.

3. Facebook Watch Party updates

One of Facebook's lesser-known features is the ability to host and join watch parties. Watch parties are live screenings or pre-recorded videos that users can watch with their friends and family on Facebook. This feature is great for facilitating conversations about shared interests and hobbies.

The watch party feature supports video replays, so users can re-watch their favorite movies or TV shows with their loved ones. Facebook pages and content creators can also utilize the watch party function to engage with their audience in a more interactive way. Conversation watch party hosts can use the chat function to communicate with their guests during the event, making it feel like a virtual gathering. Overall, Facebook's watch party updates make it an even better tool for connecting with others over shared interests and creating meaningful interactions online.

4. Creator Studio updates

The Creator Studio has undergone major upgrades recently, making it easier for creators to publish free content and highlight loyal followers. The updates include improved messaging capabilities and audiences video content insights, such as improved including average minutes watched and video retention rates.

One of the most exciting new features is the support for auto-captioning in multiple languages, including Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Malay, and Hindi. These updates make Creator Studio an even more powerful tool for creators looking to engage with their repeat visitors and improve their audience's experience.

5. Export your Facebook Page Reports

If you're looking for ways to improve your social media management tool, Facebook Insights is a great place to start. It's the perfect way to find trends and analyze your analytics data on your Facebook Page. With Facebook Page Reports, you can easily export data from your Insights tab and get a comprehensive view of all the information collected.

To export data from your Facebook Page, simply click on "Export Data" under the Insights tab. From here, select the page data you want to see and choose a date range. Once you've done that, click "Export Data" again and wait for your report to generate.

With this feature, you can view data stacks from multiple social platforms in one place. It's a great way to get an overview of all the insights and analytics data for your brand. If you're looking for an even more comprehensive view of your Facebook analytics, try using a social media management tool like Sprout Social.

6. More visibility for Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups are becoming more and more popular, with platform users increasingly joining public and private facebook groups. These groups can be great for promoting community amongst people with shared interests, businesses, or even just friends. Facebook has made it easier than ever to create private communities with the latest redesign of Facebook.

To give these groups even more visibility, Facebook has added a specific groups tab that users can easily access on their default timeline. This place allows users to share newsfeed posts directly into their preferred groups and also see updates from private groups they belong to. With this feature, private groups can become more visible to members and allow for easier communication between members of the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if someone is logged into my Facebook account?

To check if someone is logged into your Facebook account, go to Settings > Security and Login > Where You're Logged In. This will show you all active sessions and devices currently accessing your account.

Is Facebook still a public square?

Yes, Facebook is still considered a public square as it allows users to express and share their thoughts and opinions with a vast audience. However, the platform's algorithms and moderation policies can limit visibility and content accessibility.

Is Facebook marketing right for your business?

Facebook marketing can be effective for businesses looking to increase brand awareness, engage with their audience and drive website traffic, but it may not be the best fit for every business. It's important to evaluate your target audience, goals and budget before deciding if Facebook marketing is right for your business.

How can I see who tried to contact me on Facebook?

You can check your Facebook notifications to see who has tried to contact you, or use the "Message Requests" feature to view messages from people who are not on your friends list.

Can I control who sees my Facebook posts?

Yes, you can control who sees your Facebook posts by adjusting your privacy settings. You can choose to make your posts public, visible only to friends, or even customize specific audience lists.

Eva Marchal

Eva Marchal

Writer at Inside Business

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Eva Marchal is a creative writer and entrepreneur who runs a successful blog that focuses on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She has a passion for sharing her personal experiences and knowledge with her readers to inspire them to lead their best lives. With her keen eye for style and aesthetics, Eva offers insightful tips on how to elevate one's personal brand through fashion and beauty.

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