Facebook is updating its 'Life Events' listings with new, interactive features and a new section on your main profile page.
You may not have given them a heap of attention, but Life Events - those Facebook indicators that say "Got married to...", "Started new job..." etc. within your personal feed - are a popular and engaging option. And according to Facebook, their research suggests people want to see more of them:
"When we began reimagining life events, we talked to people around the world to understand the milestones in people’s lives, how they share them, and the role they play. We heard that many people want to share and remember major life events, including difficult moments like the loss of a loved one."
To help with this, Facebook is adding three new elements. First, you'll now be able to add photos or videos to a Life Event - and if you don't have a suitable image, you'll be able to select from a dedicated set of stock images. Life Events will now also be shared with friends, and when they react, a new animation, showing other people's reactions and profile images, will be shown. And lastly, Life Events will now be given a dedicated section on profiles, helping people keep track of your big moments.
It's another way in which Facebook hopes to boost engagement - by highlighting significant moments, and featuring them more prominently, it may trigger more intimate discussion and response among close connections.
It's seemingly not a major addition - you wouldn't expect it would spark a big shift in usage behavior. But it's another feature to note, particularly in regards to the new profile placement for the tool.
In addition to the announcement, Facebook has also published a new infographic outlining the reasons why people share life events.