Facebook, now Meta, is implementing significant changes to its News Feed algorithm to combat spam and elevate the visibility of high-quality, original content. These updates aim to create a more trustworthy and engaging user experience by targeting misleading claims, engagement bait tactics, and promoting credible news sources.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook is actively working to reduce spam and low-quality content in users’ News Feeds.
- The platform is prioritizing original reporting and transparent authorship in news content.
- New metrics like ‘Click-Gap’ are being introduced to identify and limit the reach of websites disproportionately popular on Facebook.
- Measures are in place to demote misleading health claims and sensationalised content.
- Facebook is also addressing issues within Groups to curb the spread of misinformation.
Combating Spam and Engagement Bait
Meta is intensifying its efforts against various forms of spam. This includes cracking down on the use of irrelevant or overly long captions, excessive hashtags, and coordinated networks of accounts sharing the same content. Accounts engaging in these practices may face reduced reach and ineligibility for monetization. The platform is also reintroducing comment downvotes as a tool to identify and combat spammy or low-value contributions, though past iterations have faced challenges with user interpretation.
Prioritising Original Reporting and Transparency
In a move to foster a more informed environment, Facebook’s algorithm will now place greater emphasis on original reporting. The platform aims to identify and boost content from news outlets that are the first to break a story, by analysing which articles are most frequently cited as the original source. Furthermore, news articles lacking "transparent authorship" – meaning they don’t clearly list bylines or provide information about editorial staff – will be demoted. This initiative seeks to promote credibility and reduce the prevalence of clickbait and ad farms.
Tackling Misleading Health Claims and Fake News
Facebook is also updating its algorithm to specifically target and reduce the reach of posts containing exaggerated or sensational health claims, as well as those promoting products based on such claims. By identifying phrases commonly used in misleading health content, the platform aims to filter out misinformation. Additionally, the introduction of a ‘Click-Gap’ metric will help limit the spread of websites that gain disproportionate popularity on Facebook compared to the wider web, a move intended to curb the amplification of low-quality content and propaganda.
Addressing Issues within Groups
Recognising that Facebook Groups can become hubs for misinformation, Meta is implementing more punitive measures for administrators of problematic groups. Moderator behaviour and content violations within groups will be factored into assessments, with groups found to be consistently sharing links to sites flagged as fake news facing downgraded reach. A new ‘Group Quality’ feature will provide administrators with greater clarity on actions taken against their groups, including flagged or removed content.
Sources
- Facebook Announces New Measures to Combat Spam Posts and Comments, Social Media Today.
- Facebook Announces News Feed Algorithm Update to Put More Emphasis on Original, Quality News Content, Social Media Today.
- Facebook Updates News Feed Algorithm to Demote Misleading Health Claims, Social Media Today.
- Facebook Is Changing News Feed (Again) to Stop Fake News, WIRED.
- Facebook Algorithm Now Prioritizes Original Reporting, Search Engine Journal.
