Facebook has recently launched several News Feed updates to provide user-centered better content. After unveiling the "unfollow" or "muting" feature and new connection labels such as Family and Acquaintances, its new "See First" button is yet another content filter.
The new News Feed button, which places Facebook friends' posts as top "Top Stories," is the opposite of the "unfollow" option. Instead of users choosing to follow a Friend never, they choose to follow the person always.
See First seems to be in a testing phrase, according to Engadget. There has been no official announcement about when it will be available to all Facebook users.
The move by the social network giant gives users more control in choosing content. Advertisers and publishers will also benefit. They will have another data mining tool to find new customers and readers, respectively.
The social networking company claims that the new Facebook feature will improve News Feed. That is because the strength of a Friend connection is built into its software algorithm, which includes factors such as clicking "Like" or adding comments, according to Wired.
Unfortunately, the See First button is an all or nothing feature. If you follow a Friend, you cannot choose just to see their shared photos or updates, but not their articles.
There is also a new sidebar pop up that asks how well you know a Facebook user. While it is not clear if this is related to See First, it seems to function as another content filter.
It is unclear if the new Facebook feature helps account holders to see significantly more preferred content in their News Feed. But it seems to be a big step forward.