Meta is rolling out a series of updates to Facebook to appeal to younger users who have been gravitating towards other platforms like TikTok and Instagram. 

The redesign, announced at a Facebook IRL pop-up in Austin, focuses on enhancing local community information, video content, and Facebook Groups.

The changes come as Facebook faces declining engagement among younger demographics. According to Pew Research Center data, only 33% of U.S. teens used Facebook in 2022, down from 71% in 2014. 

Per TechCrunch, Meta is responding to this trend by capitalizing on areas where young adults, particularly those in their 20s, are still actively using the platform, such as Facebook Groups and Marketplace.

Key features of the redesign include:

1. A new “Local” tab, initially tested in select U.S. cities, which aggregates content from Marketplace, Groups, and Events into a single section.
2. An “Explore” tab offering personalized recommendations powered by an algorithm connecting users with specific interests.
3. Updates to the Video tab, introducing a full-screen player for short-form, long-form, and live videos in one location.
4. Enhancements to Facebook Events, including Weekly and Weekend Digests of upcoming events based on user interests.
5. The introduction of “Group AI,” a feature designed to help group members find answers to questions, including those previously asked.

Meta reports that young adults spend nearly 60% of their time on Facebook watching videos, with more than half viewing Reels daily. The company is leveraging this trend by making Facebook Reels a more prominent part of the app.

Facebook Groups, which attract 1.8 billion users and see 25 million public groups active monthly, are also receiving significant attention in the redesign. The platform makes group content more discoverable through improved search results and the new “Explore” tab.

In addition to these changes, Facebook is integrating AI-powered features across the platform. These include an “Imagine Yourself” image-generation tool and AI comment summaries for public Groups, Pages, and Creators.

Facebook Dating is also part of the update, introducing a “Matchmaker” feature that allows up to five friends to swipe through potential matches for a user. Meta cites a 24% year-over-year increase in Facebook Dating conversations among young adults in the U.S. and Canada as motivation for this feature.

The redesign extends to Messenger, introducing a WhatsApp-like Community feature that connects people through shared interests.

These updates follow Meta’s recent launch of a new monetization program for creators on Facebook, which allows them to earn more from various content formats.