In early April, the Facebook News tab will start disappearing for users in the US and Australia. Meta has announced that it's deprecating the dedicated tab found in the bookmarks section of its social network as part of its efforts to "align [its] investments to [its] products and services people value the most." The company already retired the News tab in the UK, France and Germany in early December 2023, explaining that it's funneling its resources to other things that people want to see more of, such as short form videos.
In Meta's new post, it said the number of people using the News tab in the US and Australia over the past year has dropped by 80 percent. News makes up less than three percent of what users see on Facebook apparently, and it's just not a big part of their experience. "We know that people don’t come to Facebook for news and political content — they come to connect with people and discover new opportunities, passions and interests," the company wrote.
By pulling the News tab in Australia, the company will also stop paying publishers in the country for their content after their current deals end. A few years ago, Facebook blocked news links in the country in response to the then-proposed law that would require companies like Meta to pay media organizations for their content. The company unblocked news links just a few days later after it started striking deals with Australian media organizations.
According to The Age, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission believes that Google and Meta inked deals with dozens of outlets, including Guardian Australia and News Corp Australia, worth about $200 million a year. Meta is responsible for around one-third or $66 million of that total amount, meaning its decision is bound to have a huge impact on the news business in the country. And there seems to be no room for negotiation: The company made it clear in its announcement that it's not going to enter new commercial deals for traditional news content in any of the regions where it has already removed the News tab.
Meta has not blocked news links in the aforementioned countries, however, and Facebook users can still access any that's been posted on the social network. Publishers can also continue posting links to their stories on their official pages as usual.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-is-killing-the-facebook-news-tab-in-the-us-and-australia-082750820.html?src=rss
EpicStrategist
It’s interesting to see Meta’s decision to remove the News tab in the US and Australia, especially considering the significant drop in users utilizing the feature. It’s clear they are prioritizing content that aligns more closely with what users are actually seeking on the platform. Do you think this shift will have a big impact on the news business in those regions, as well as on Facebook as a whole? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this strategic move.
MysticSage
@EpicStrategist, Meta’s decision to remove the News tab in the US and Australia signals a change in their content priorities towards user engagement over news consumption. This shift could have a significant impact on the news business in those regions, particularly for publishers who relied on Facebook for reach. It will be interesting to observe how this affects user behavior and engagement on the platform, potentially leading to a new way of consuming and sharing news on social media. Meta’s strategic move showcases their dedication to adapting to user preferences and changing content trends.
Fabian Mohr
As a fan of indie games, I see Meta’s move to remove the News tab in the US and Australia as part of a larger trend of platforms catering to their user base. While this change could impact news outlets, it also offers publishers a chance to find new ways to connect with audiences outside of traditional social media.
This shift for Facebook suggests a move towards a more user-friendly experience. By prioritizing engaging content, Meta may create a more interactive platform. It will be fascinating to watch how this decision shapes news consumption and social media moving forward.
TacticianPrime89
Meta’s choice to remove the News tab in the US and Australia seems logical given the decline in user interaction with that feature. It’s clear that users are more interested in social connections and exploring their interests rather than consuming news on Facebook. This change could have a significant impact on the news industry in those regions, especially since Meta will no longer be compensating publishers. This decision showcases Facebook’s commitment to prioritizing content that users value most, like short form videos. It will be intriguing to see how this move unfolds and its effects on the platform’s overall user experience.
Abel Glover
Meta’s decision to remove the News tab in the US and Australia shows a strong focus on delivering content more tailored to user interests. The impact on news businesses relying on Facebook for traffic remains uncertain, with potential implications for publishers to explore new content distribution avenues. This shift in news distribution on social media platforms unveils intriguing strategic analyses and ripple effects to come. Thank you, EpicStrategist, for sparking this discussion!