After rolling out the ability to snooze keywords to a number of users earlier this year, Facebook is now testing a new ‘Ban these Words’ feature allowing users to block comments containing certain words.
Earlier this year, Facebook rolled out a feature that allows users to snooze specific keywords, in order to declutter their feeds. The feature was only made available to a portion of users in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but from this sample, Facebook was able to determine patterns of usage and actual insight on how people were using the feature.
Now, according to feature-spotter Jane Manchun Wong, Facebook seems to be testing a new feature that allows users to control what content appears on their profiles.
Facebook is working on letting users to ban words/phrases/emojis from showing up on their personal timelines
Tip @Techmeme pic.twitter.com/9WpfDXEEu7
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) November 27, 2018
The new keyword blocking feature effectively bans comments that contain specific “words, phrases, or emojis” that users don’t want to appear in comments on their timeline. The comments would still be visible to the users who posted them and their friends. Essentially, Facebook is testing a way to hide comments automatically.
For users who face harassment, the new feature could be a godsend, especially for those who are very public. Facebook Page admins can already block certain keywords from showing up in comments, and users can already mute keywords for a specific time period, but the new feature takes a step forward, allowing users better control.
Facebook hasn’t commented on this feature yet but based on previous examples, I’d imagine it will be available within the next few months or so.
You might also like
More from Facebook
Meta Rolls Out Horizon Worlds In France And Spain
Meta Horizon Worlds, the VR community and game, is now available in France and Spain.
Meta Refreshes Facebook Groups With New Features
Facebook Groups now have an updated invitation system to reduce admin workloads and limit sharing of misinformation.
Meta Offers Digital Security Course For Journalists And Human Rights Defenders
The Meta Journalism Project and the ICFJ have put together a self-paced 90-minute course and webinars to provide online safety …
Facebook Tests New Desktop Layout Redesign
Reports say that some users are starting to see a new Facebook desktop layout, with all options listed on a …
Meta May Soon Alert You When Your Posts Are Removed By AI
According to reports, Meta is rolling out a system that notifies users when their posts are removed and how.
Meta Is Working On A Universal Speech Translator
Meta's latest AI project seeks to extend advanced translation options to lesser-used languages and to develop a universal speech translator.
Instagram Retires Boomerang And Hyperlapse Standalone Apps
Boomerang and Hyperlapse standalone apps have been removed from app stores as their functionality is already available within Reels.
Meta Demos Voice Controlled Builder Bot That Creates VR Spaces
Meta's latest AI research introduces a prototype technology capable of generating immersive objects through voice commands only.
Facebook Is Removing The Ability To Create Profile Frames
As part of its efforts to continue banning anti-vax messages, Meta is removing the ability for users to create frames.
