In a significant move, Facebook has announced the impending removal of its dedicated news tab for users in America, effective early April. The decision mirrors a similar move in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in 2023. Facebook defended the decision in a blog post, stating that the News tab is being phased out due to a decline in user engagement, asserting that ‘people don’t come to Facebook for news and political content.’
The company emphasized a strategic shift, redirecting resources towards features users express a desire for, particularly short-form videos. According to Facebook, the utilization of Facebook News in both Australia and the U.S. plummeted by over 80% in the past year. Notably, news comprises less than 3% of users’ Facebook feeds globally, making it a minor aspect of the overall Facebook experience.
This decision comes after years of tension between Facebook and traditional media outlets, which have criticized the platform for not adequately compensating them for their news content. The conflict led to legislative actions in countries like Canada and Australia, mandating tech companies to pay fees to news publishers. Additionally, Facebook has grappled with the challenge of distinguishing misinformation from legitimate news, drawing criticism from users across the political spectrum.
The move follows a broader trend, as even Google contemplates removing its News tab from search results. While the company has denied immediate plans to do so, it underscores a potential industry shift away from legacy news tabs.
Despite the removal of the dedicated News tab, Facebook asserts that users will still have access to news articles shared in their feeds and can visit the Facebook Pages of news organizations. The move reflects Facebook’s ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving user preferences and media landscape dynamics.”