Facebook Doubling Down on Stories Format By Testing Ability to Post From Desktop

[MacRumors]

Facebook is testing a feature that will let users post stories on Mac and PC, in an effort to further make the ephemeral sharing feature stick on the platform. Once the test rolls out wide, Facebook users will be able to click an "Upload Photo" button to share pictures and videos to their story, or "Open Camera" to record a story with a webcam.

Images via TechCrunch​

The test also includes "much more prominent placement" for stories on desktop, where they will now sit on top of the News Feed -- similar to their location on the iOS app -- instead of in the sidebar. TechCrunch reported that all of this amounts to a new effort in "doubling down" on the stories format, despite the fact that most users have responded critically to the addition, and its poor performance last year caused the company to slightly tweak the app's user interface in an attempt to boost usage.

While some normal users might remain hesitant to use stories, it's believed Facebook's introduction of stories onto its desktop website could lead to "brands, event promoters, and group admins" embracing the format more. For users that visit Facebook daily on the web, the company said that the site will remain easy to navigate.

"We are always working to ensure people can easily navigate and enjoy Facebook, regardless of how they connect," a Facebook spokesperson tells me. "We are testing the option to create and share Stories from Facebook on desktop and are also testing moving the Stories tray from the top right corner to above News Feed, just like on mobile." Previously you could only consume Stories on web that had to be created on mobile. For now, a small percentage of users will see this new posting ability and design.

Facebook's push for stories is also centered around the company's preparation to launch more augmented reality features in the future. With stories launching on the web, Facebook's 24-hour post sharing format will now be able to sync across its iOS and Android apps, desktop site, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, making it easier for users to share one story on multiple platforms.

Article Link: Facebook Doubling Down on Stories Format By Testing Ability to Post From Desktop

 

[5105973]

What exactly are stories?

 

[Jesse Waugh]

How long can an attention economy last?

 

[HacKage]

I wish there was a way to disable FB stories. I use it on Instagram, but most of the ones posted on FB are just shared from Instagram anyway, there is no point in me watching the same thing twice one 2 platforms. Yes, I imagine they think the ideal scenario is to have FB, Instagram and WhatsApp all fluidly linked, but I like the separation.

 

[deeddawg]

Facebook: fooling people into believing they're interesting to others, since 2004.

 

[adamjackson]

Holy crap. A new social networking feature coming to the desktop? What is this 2007? Color me really impressed. Either they're desperate or very misguided.

Note, I don't use smartphones for photos or social networking so if I was a facebook user, I'd love this feature but FB's demographic doesn't primarily computer on a Mac.

 

[itsmilo]

Never even heard of this lol I was like can you not post a status since ever?

(Which no one actually seems to use anymore) my Facebook has become a spam fest of „xy liked meme xy“ xy liked funny video xy

 

[5105973]

Never even heard of this lol I was like can you not post a status since ever?

(Which no one actually seems to use anymore) my Facebook has become a spam fest of „xy liked meme xy“ xy liked funny video xy

Ive heard of Instagram stories but I don’t know precisely what they are since I don’t have or look at Instagram. Spam fest is a very accurate description of what FB became to me as I was leaving it.

Only I was also being spammed with GoFundMe links and guilt trips to go along with them. I wasn’t being stingy, either. I contributed to some genuinely good causes and people, but some of the requests I’ve been put on the spot for were absolutely outlandish and nervy. There are just some things you either pay for yourself or learn to do without.

 

[SaxPlayer]

I wish there was a way to disable FB stories. I use it on Instagram, but most of the ones posted on FB are just shared from Instagram anyway, there is no point in me watching the same thing twice one 2 platforms. Yes, I imagine they think the ideal scenario is to have FB, Instagram and WhatsApp all fluidly linked, but I like the separation.

I wish there was a way to disable FB

 

[NightFox]

It seems I'm the only person who isn't "doubling down" on something these days, kind of feel like I'm missing out on something.

 

[C DM]

I wish there was a way to disable FB

There isn't?

 

[SaxPlayer]

There isn't?

As far as I know Facebook still exists. Unfortunately.

 

[C DM]

As far as I know Facebook still exists. Unfortunately.

But you can "disable" it for yourself essentially.

 

[SaxPlayer]

But you can "disable" it for yourself essentially.

Yeah, I know. And I have. I was being facetious by suggesting that the world would be a better place if Facebook wasn't in it. However, some people absolutely love it. Seriously deluded people, mostly, but each to their own.

 

[C DM]

Yeah, I know. And I have. I was being facetious by suggesting that the world would be a better place if Facebook wasn't in it. However, some people absolutely love it. Seriously deluded people, mostly, but each to their own.

I see..."seriously deluded"...right...

 

[JackieInCo]

I've never used stories and don't know anyone who has. I use a jailbrake mod called nomorestories which gets rid of them.

 

[groovyd]

I just wish they would fix their webpage to not cause so much jerkyness while scrolling, starting and stopping videos and active content in every post the whole time. Safari is a pretty fast browser with buttery smooth scrolling normally but Facebook has become just a piss poor experience over the past year.