After throwing a News Feed bombshell to publishers earlier this month, Facebook will now start prioritising local publishers, rewarding them with higher rankings in the News Feed.
These days, News Feed is less stable than a radioactive isotope. Publishers and Brands are still trying to make sense (and budget) out of the latest update which sees their posts being demoted. However, there is a unlikely winner in the battle of attention: small, local Publishers.
Alex Hardiman, Head of News Product and Campbell Brown, Head of News Partnerships wrote a joint statement in which they announce that Facebook will prioritise news about what’s happening in local communities for users to learn about “topics that have a direct impact on you and your community and discover what’s happening in your local area.”
Cool, right? But how can a publisher be classified as ‘local’ for that matter? According to the announcement, Facebook identifies local publishers as those whose links are clicked on by readers in a tight geographic area. While there are no constraints on which publishers are eligible, it is expected that super-local, ultra-niche publishers will benefit most from the changes, as they have dedicated and geo-fenced readership.
The changes are part of Facebook’s broader Journalism Project’s spectrum. They also pair well with its newly launched ‘Today In’ section, which features local news and events. Today In is currently being tested in 6 cities across the US. Local News re-prioritisation will also roll out in the US with global availability planned for later this year.
You might also like
More from Facebook
Facebook Bans Donald Trump Indefinitely From Its Platforms
Following the recent events in Washington DC, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced an indefinite ban on Donald Trump from …
New Facebook Pages Come Without A Like Button
Facebook is rolling out a new design for Facebook Pages. It comes with new features, but without a Like button.
New Year’s Eve 2020 Sets New Records For Use Of Facebook Apps
Facebook was expecting a traffic spike on its apps over New Year's Eve, but this year broke all previous records …
3 Courses To Help You Create Better Video Content For Your Ads
Here are three free Facebook Blueprint courses to help you take your content to the next level.
Facebook Attacks Apple With Full-Page Newspaper Ads
Facebook is running newspaper ads newspapers criticizing Apple for its policy giving iOS users the choice of whether they want …
New Facebook Collab App Lets You Create Music With Friends
Facebook Collab is a new experimental music-making app available in the US, that lets you create music with friends.
Facebook Expands Brand Collabs Manager To Public Groups
Facebook is rolling out it s Brand Collabs Manager to public groups this week, giving them a new opportunity for …
The US Government Is Taking Legal Action To Break Up Facebook
Forty-eight attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission say Facebook Needs To Sell Instagram And WhatsApp.
Facebook Makes It Easier For Auto Dealers To Manage And Promote Their Vehicles
Facebook is rolling out several updates to US-based dealership Pages to make it easier for auto dealers to showcase and …