Fb’s “Poke” characteristic has by no means actually gone away, however now the social community is giving it a extra distinguished placement – and is even contemplating increasing the set of informal greeting choices to incorporate others, like a wink, wave, high-five or hug.

Although Fb had by no means actually discontinued the age-old characteristic, which serves as a fast option to get somebody’s consideration on its community, it has now given the Poke a extremely seen spot.

On the high of customers’ profiles on cellular, the Poke button sits subsequent to a Message button, and proper beneath your pal’s title and photograph.

The Poke is one among Fb’s oldest options. It existed at a time when the social community was still called Thefacebook, and there wasn’t as a lot to do on the positioning as there’s right this moment. The which means of the Poke was by no means outlined, as Fb determined to go away it as much as interpretation.

“After we created the poke, we thought it will be cool to have a characteristic with none particular objective,” Fb had explained prior to now. “Individuals interpret the poke in many various methods, and we encourage you to provide you with your individual meanings.”

In fact, many individuals took the Poke to be a type of digital flirting whereas others noticed it as extra of  a joke. Poke wars between buddies ensued, as properly.

Now it appears to be like like Fb needs to provide the Poke one other shot.

The brand new Poke button’s placement additionally makes it simpler unintended Pokes to happen, if you had been aiming for the Message button as a substitute, or simply shopping via a consumer’s profile.

Because of this, not everyone seems to be thrilled with the brand new button, it appears:

As a result of the characteristic is from an earlier period of Fb historical past, the Poke is definitely considerably mysterious to some customers who don’t know what the characteristic does or why it’s there. Others, who do keep in mind the Poke, assumed it had been eliminated and has simply now returned:

However the Poke had by no means been shut off for good – it was simply tucked away within the navigation. Now, it’s type of unimaginable to overlook.

Fb isn’t carried out with the Poke but, both.

The corporate has been testing a brand new sequence of greetings together with hi there, high-fiving, hugging, and winking, along with the Poke, The Next Web not too long ago found.

These additionally sit on the high of customers’ profiles for individuals who have been added to the take a look at group, and seem as shiny, colourful buttons. (It had tested a “hello” button earlier this 12 months, as properly.)

Above: a demo of the brand new Greetings characteristic on Fb

The thought with Greetings is to supply Fb customers extra methods to succeed in out to buddies, past posting to their profiles, commenting and direct messaging. With these extra light-weight interactions, you may present a pal you’re fascinated with them with little effort in your half.

However Fb will have to be cautious with the launch of Pokes and Greetings. Up to now, some ladies stated the Fb Poke typically felt like a creepy flirting tool, for instance. If the brand new Greetings buttons or the brand new Poke button can be found to anybody on Fb to entry, and never only a consumer’s buddies, they may very well be abused as a option to pester somebody on-line.

Not everybody has the take a look at of the Greetings buttons or the brand new Poke button, we perceive. Fb wouldn’t verify if or when it will make these options publicly out there to all.