Facebook groups now include reels and more anti-misinformation tools
Facebook is giving Groups a tune-up with new features, not to mention tools to ensure healthy discussions. Like it or not, Reels are coming to Groups - members can share how-to guides, vacation recaps and other videos using the seemingly ubiquitous format. You can also update your group profile to share things you might have in common and indicate that you're open to messages. And if you want to broadcast an event, you can share public Facebook events as Instagram Stories.
The social media giant is also making it easier to fight the spread of misinformation within groups. Admins can automatically move posts with known false claims (i.e. verified by fact checkers) to pending posts so they can be reviewed before being deleted. While executives can already automatically disallow posts and even automatically block posters, this could help them spot fake content trends and make decisions about bans.
Meta
Efforts are also made to promote conversations. Facebook is testing an extension (pictured above) that lets admins allow content that might otherwise be flagged for bullying and harassment, like describing a fish as "fat." This will only be available to actively involved admins who have not run a deleted group or committed a serious policy violation. In another test, admins can reward contributions by giving points to community members. You can get badges for welcoming newcomers or providing helpful tips, for example.
The changes are both an effort to spur positive engagement and an acknowledgment that groups have at times been the source of Facebook's biggest misinformation problems. He put some communities on probation for spreading false 2020 election claims and banned hundreds of QAnon groups. The ability to allow certain flagged content is unusual: indeed, Facebook is willing to let groups bypass its moderation system if they believe there has been an error.
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Facebook is giving Groups a tune-up with new features, not to mention tools to ensure healthy discussions. Like it or not, Reels are coming to Groups - members can share how-to guides, vacation recaps and other videos using the seemingly ubiquitous format. You can also update your group profile to share things you might have in common and indicate that you're open to messages. And if you want to broadcast an event, you can share public Facebook events as Instagram Stories.
The social media giant is also making it easier to fight the spread of misinformation within groups. Admins can automatically move posts with known false claims (i.e. verified by fact checkers) to pending posts so they can be reviewed before being deleted. While executives can already automatically disallow posts and even automatically block posters, this could help them spot fake content trends and make decisions about bans.
Meta
Efforts are also made to promote conversations. Facebook is testing an extension (pictured above) that lets admins allow content that might otherwise be flagged for bullying and harassment, like describing a fish as "fat." This will only be available to actively involved admins who have not run a deleted group or committed a serious policy violation. In another test, admins can reward contributions by giving points to community members. You can get badges for welcoming newcomers or providing helpful tips, for example.
The changes are both an effort to spur positive engagement and an acknowledgment that groups have at times been the source of Facebook's biggest misinformation problems. He put some communities on probation for spreading false 2020 election claims and banned hundreds of QAnon groups. The ability to allow certain flagged content is unusual: indeed, Facebook is willing to let groups bypass its moderation system if they believe there has been an error.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
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