Resetting Trend: Facebook Revives the 'Nudge' Feature
Facebook, the social media giant, is making a nostalgic comeback with one of its original features - the "poke." Originally introduced 21 years ago, the "poke" was a simple yet ambiguous way to interact with another user, sparking debates about its intent, whether it was just a friendly greeting or a subtle form of flirting.
The revived "poke" feature is currently being promoted on Instagram Stories in the US, and it's making a prominent appearance on user profiles and contact suggestions. Facebook is making it more visible in interactions and profiles, aiming to engage younger users who may not be as familiar with the feature.
Interestingly, the "poke" feature never truly disappeared from Facebook. It continued to exist, albeit less prominently, as users found other ways to interact. However, its popularity never quite matched that of its German equivalent, "gruscheln."
"Gruscheln" became a part of the German vocabulary in the 2000s, particularly on VZ networks and StudiVZ, and seemed to be more popular than its American counterpart, poking. The popularity of "gruscheln" peaked in the 2000s, while the revival of "poke" is happening now.
For those unfamiliar, "gruscheln" is the German term for "poking." The "poke" feature on Facebook, when introduced, involved sending a notification to another user. Today, users can find the "poke" feature at facebook.com/pokes, allowing them to see past pokes and poke back.
Facebook's revival of the "poke" feature comes as the company looks to compete with other social media platforms, particularly Snapchat. The future use of poking by younger users is uncertain, but Facebook is considering more variations to keep the feature relevant and engaging.
It's important to note that while the "poke" feature is making a comeback in the US, its visibility in Europe remains unclear. There is no information available about the revival of the "Poken" feature on Facebook in Germany or whether it will be visible in interactions and profiles.
As Facebook continues to evolve, the revival of the "poke" feature is a nod to its past while aiming to connect with a new generation of users. Whether it will regain the popularity it once had or become a forgotten relic of social media history remains to be seen.
