4 Facebook hacks that put you back in control
It can be hard keeping up with the constant changes of Facebook. It seems like it’s harder to unfriend people and see the content you love. There are a few ways you can change that.
1. Unfriending isn’t your only option
Everyone has those few Facebook friends who posts are always annoying or argumentative or both. But if those friends are your real-life friends or relatives, unfriending them could cause some tumult in the real world.
Here’s the solution: Click the “Following” button at the top of the page and select “Unfollow.”
You’ll stop seeing their posts, you’ll still be “friends” with them, and their feelings don’t get hurt. Win-win!
2. Erase your search history
Every Facebook user makes some searches they’re not proud of, whether it’s an ex’s profile or something not safe for work. But never fear: Facebook can erase all traces them.
Click the downward-pointing arrow in the top right-hand corner of your screen and go to “Activity Log.” From there, click “More” under “Comments” and look for “Search history.”
If there’s one particular search you’re less than proud of, search through the chronological entries and click the crossed circle next to one to delete it.
Otherwise, you can wipe your slate clean by clicking “Clear searches” at the top of the page.
3. Turn off those endless birthday notifications
You love it when Facebook reminds you that your cousin’s birthday is today and you haven’t sent her a balloon emoji-filled text, but you hate when it do the same for the people you occasionally talked to in high school.
While there’s no way to choose whose birthdays you can get notified for, you can turn off all birthday notifications by going into “Settings” (under the upper right-hand arrow), “Notifications,” and then “On Facebook.”
That lists everything you get notified for, including groups you’re in, pages you run, and yes, birthdays.
4. Prioritise the content you want to see
Facebook has recently introduced an algorithm that allows Facebook to prioritise posts from your friends and family.
However, this means you miss out on posts from your favourite media outlets that you might want to see.
To change that, go to the companies Facebook page, click on the “Following” button, and then click “See First”.
Easily fixed.
Do you have any more tips for Facebook? Let us know in the comments.
Written by Claire Nowak. This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.