After dropping hints about a return to its roots earlier this year, Facebook has finally announced a new update that focuses on connecting users with their friends. The social network is introducing a Facebook Friends tab that will exclusively showcase updates from friends, without any other recommended content. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, explains in a blog post that this update aims to bring back features that align with the platform’s original mission of connecting people through social networking.
The Friends tab, currently available only in the U.S. and Canada, will display friends’ content such as posts, Reels, stories, birthdays, and friend requests. Previously, the tab only showed friend requests and “People You May Know.”
This move comes after Facebook’s recent redesign targeted at Gen Z users, in an effort to attract a younger audience who have migrated to other social apps like Instagram and TikTok. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg mentioned during a Q4 earnings call earlier this year that a “return to OG Facebook” was one of his key goals for 2025. He expressed his belief in making Facebook more culturally influential and returning to the platform’s original purpose.
The Friends tab update is just the beginning of many changes expected to roll out this year, as Facebook aims to reconnect users with their friends and strengthen its core purpose. The company acknowledges the importance of returning to its roots, as it has evolved over the years to meet changing needs and create new experiences across various features like Groups and Video. Now, with the new Friends tab easily accessible through the navigation bar and Bookmarks section, users can conveniently stay connected with their friends on Facebook. Additionally, users have the option to pin the Friends tab to their Home Feed for even quicker access, making it easier to stay connected with friends on the platform.
