We just came across the article by dazeinfo about a new feature that Facebook is testing with a small percentage of their users that will stream a user’s friends’ comments, likes and shares instantaneously.
Much like Twitter’s last update, this feature implements a new design change that allows users to follow news as it dissipates through their network, where it used to get lost in the swarm of information pumping through their News Feeds. News stories in the Happening Now section can also be expanded without leaving the current page, making interaction faster and more ‘natural’.
According the the article Facebook had this to say:
“We are currently testing a feature within News Feed that gives people the ability to see what their friends are commenting on and “liking”, as these actions are being taken on Facebook.
This test includes a small percentage of Facebook users, just a fraction of a percent. In the coming weeks, as we learn more from this test, we’ll keep making improvements and may expand it to more people.”
What this means for applications and websites, only time will tell. Will websites be able to leverage this exposure to boost their return visits per Like? Or will the Happening Now section only feature actions taken inside Facebook? Its a game changer either way. And we’ll be following it closely.