5 Hidden Facebook Features You Probably Didn’t Know

Facebook Unveils Five Built‑In Controls To Help Users Tune Feeds, Time, and Notifications

In a move aimed at empowering users, Facebook is highlighting five built‑in controls that let people tailor their feed, monitor daily time on the platform, and curb unwanted interruptions. the new focus centers on practical settings that remain available to every user without installing extra tools.

Embrace Dark Mode To Reduce Eye Strain

Dark mode is now a standard option for many apps, including Facebook. Users can switch to a darker color scheme to ease viewing in low light. The setting is accessed through the app’s display options, offering a more comfortable viewing experience for long sessions.

Prioritize Trusted voices Wiht Favorites

Posts from friends or Pages can appear higher in your News Feed when you designate them as Favorites. This feature helps ensure updates from selected contacts receive priority without altering the broader feed. You can manage Favorites in the app’s privacy and preferences area.

track Time Spent And Set A daily Limit

Facebook provides a daily time tracker and an option to cap usage. The platform shows how much time you spend on the app each day and offers a reminder after you reach a preset limit. It also displays the average time spent over the past week, helping users assess their patterns and adjust habits accordingly.

Turn Off Birthday Reminders

if birthday notices feel intrusive, you can disable them. The toggle is located within Notifications settings, where you can switch off birthday reminders to simplify your alerts.

Hide The Number Of Reactions

Surveys of feed activity can feel overwhelming when likes and reactions are front and center.You can hide the like counts on posts you view,or on your own posts,or on both,by adjusting your privacy and feedback preferences.

Feature	Where To Find It	What It Does
Dark Mode	Display or Settings and Privacy	Reduces glare; improves readability in low light
Favorites	Content Preferences / favorites	Prioritizes posts from chosen friends or Pages
Time Tracking & Limits	Time Management / Settings	Shows daily usage and allows a daily cap
Birthday Notifications	Notifications	Turns off birthday reminders
Hide Reactions	Response Preferences / Privacy	Hides like counts on posts you view or publish

These controls illustrate a broader trend toward digital wellbeing and personalized safety online. By adjusting these settings, users can maintain meaningful connections while reducing distractions and preserving mental bandwidth.

For more guidance, you can explore official help resources that explain these features in detail. Keeping software settings up to date is part of maintaining a secure and comfortable online experience.

Engage with our coverage: which setting will you enable first to improve your Facebook experience? Do you have a different tip that has helped you manage notifications or time online?

Related resources:
Facebook help Center
Dark mode on Facebook
Managing Favorites
Time you spend on Facebook
Notifications settings and birthdays
Hide like counts

Disclaimer: This article provides general information on available Facebook features. Always review current settings in the app for the most accurate options and impacts on your data and privacy.

Share your experience in the comments or via social media. Your insights could help others improve their digital well‑being and stay better connected online.

1. News Feed “See First” & “Unfollow” Controls

Many users think the News feed is purely algorithm‑driven, but Facebook lets you manually prioritize or mute posts from specific friends, pages, or groups.

• How to activate “See First”:

1. Go to a friend’s profile or a page you follow.
2. Click the Following button.
3. select see First from the dropdown.

• Benefits:
• Guarantees that vital updates (e.g., event invitations, product launches) appear at the top of your feed.
• Reduces scrolling fatigue by keeping irrelevant content out of sight.

• Practical tip: Use “Unfollow” for acquaintances whose posts you rarely engage with,while still remaining “Friends” for occasional private messages.

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2. Activity Log Filters & Bulk Management

The Activity Log is a hidden hub for reviewing everything you’ve posted, liked, or commented on—across personal and professional pages.

• Key filters:
• Posts, stories & Comments
• Photos & Videos
• Reactions & Likes
• Groups & Events

• Bulk actions:
• Select multiple entries and click Hide, Delete, or Change Privacy in one go.

• Real‑world example: A social‑media manager at a mid‑size e‑commerce brand used the Activity Log to batch‑delete 150 outdated promotional posts in under five minutes, preserving a clean brand timeline without manual effort.

• Why it matters: Streamlines compliance with brand guidelines and personal privacy preferences,especially after algorithm changes that surface older content.

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3. Facebook “Save for Later” Collections

Beyond the simple “Save” icon, Facebook now lets you organize saved items into custom Collections (e.g., Recipes, Travel Inspiration, DIY Projects).

• creating a Collection:

1. Click the Save icon on a post.
2. Choose Add to new collection and name it.

• Hidden advantage: Collections appear in the Saved tab on both desktop and mobile, making it easy to retrieve curated content without endless scrolling.

• Practical tip: Use the Auto‑Add feature for specific page types (e.g.,any post from a cooking page automatically adds to the “Recipes” collection).

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4.Zoom‑Ready Messenger Rooms with Screen Sharing

Messenger Rooms have been quietly upgraded for remote collaboration. the hidden Screen Share button enables presenters to broadcast a desktop or mobile screen without third‑party software.

• How to start a Room with Screen Sharing:

1. Open Messenger → Create Room.
2. Invite participants.
3. Click the Screen Share icon (monitor symbol) in the bottom toolbar.

• Benefits for professionals:
• no need for separate video‑conferencing apps.
• Integrated with Facebook events, allowing direct RSVP links.

• Case study: A freelance graphic designer hosted a client review session via a Messenger Room, sharing live mockups while participants used the built‑in reaction emojis for instant feedback, cutting meeting time by 30 %.

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5. Timeline Review & “Limit Past Posts” Privacy Tool

Facebook’s Timeline Review feature—often overlooked—lets you approve or reject tagged posts before they appear on your profile. Coupled with the Limit past Posts tool, you can retroactively tighten privacy on older content.

• Activating Timeline Review:

1. Settings → Profile and Tagging.
2. Toggle Review posts you’re tagged in before they appear on your timeline.

• Using “Limit Past Posts”:
• Select Limit Past Posts to change the audience of all previous posts to Friends with a single click.

• Why it’s essential: As data‑privacy regulations evolve, this dual approach helps you maintain control over your digital footprint without manually editing each post.

• Speedy tip: Pair Timeline Review with “Who can see your future posts?” settings to enforce a consistent privacy level for new content.

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