Facebook might not have seemed too phased by the launch of Google+, but the social network’s newest feature seems to replicate Google’s way of doing things rather closely. Last night, Zuckerberg and co announced Improved Friend Lists, to organise all your contacts into easier to manage groups. Sounds a bit like Google+ Circles, you say? That’s because it is. In fact, it’s almost exactly the same.
“This week, it will be easier than ever to see more from the people you care about and simpler to share with exactly the right people using Friend Lists” explains Facebook’s Blake Ross in a post on the company’s blog.
“Want to see posts from your closest friends? Or perhaps you’d like to share a personal story with your family—without also telling all your co-workers. With improved Friend Lists, you can easily see updates from and share with different lists of friends.”
And while Facebook’s quick to point out that lists aren’t a new feature, “lists have existed for several years,” says Blake, the new function makes them auto-sort your buddies for easier sharing of potentially embarrassing material.
Over the coming days, Facebook says we’ll start to see our accounts feature smart lists that create themselves and stay up-to-date based on profile from your friends. For instance, if you shared a school, or workplace, they’ll auto-organise into lists for your School or Work. Likewise, if you’ve told Facebook about any of your relations, you’ll be neatly corralled into a family unit.
In addition, Facebook it promissing “close friends and aquaintances lists,” although these won’t auto-generate. The Big F says that, “since these types of relationships are unique, it’s important for you to decide who goes in your Close Friends, Acquaintances or Restricted lists – if you use them at all.”
The social network also says it’ll add “better suggestions” so you can find friends that fit in each list with greater ease. Now, if you miss a vital Facebook update from a so-called buddy, you’ll know why: You’re not on the list.
