Facebook's Useful But Rather Hidden Features
Posted: November 1, 2013 by Alex Chan
Even if you a regular Facebook user, the chances are that you have missed out some of Facebook's features that are lesser-known, but extremely useful. So, here are some of the best features of the world's most popular networking site you may have been overlooking:
Activity Log
A user's Facebook activity log is an extensive list of their posts and activity, ranging from today back to the very beginning. Be it photos, likes or comments, you will find anything there. Plus, you can use it to review and manage what you share on Facebook. In order to get to your activity log, you need to click the 'Privacy Shortcut', placed in the top right corner of your personal account. Next, go to 'Who can see my stuff?' and click 'Use Activity Log'.
Download Your Facebook Data
In the General Account Settings, there is a feature that lets you download your information, i.e., a copy of what you've shared on Facebook. What's more, it also includes data that is not available simply by logging into your account such as the ads you have clicked on, data like the IP addresses that are logged when you log into or out of Facebook, and much more. To make the download, click the Account Settings in the top right corner and at the bottom of the General Account Settings you will notice an option to "Download a copy of your Facebook data". By clicking on it, you will download your file in its entirety.
Prevent The Posts You're Tagged In From Automatically Displaying On Your Timeline
You can manually approve or disapprove tags that other Facebook users add to your posts. Once you turn on this option, the tags will only appear upon your approval. To activate tag review, go to the Account Settings in the top right corner and then click on the Timeline and Tagging section on the left. Look for the setting 'Who can add things to my timeline?' and click 'Edit' next to the option 'Review posts friends tag you in before they appear on your timeline' to turn this option on.
However, this only controls what's allowed on your personal timeline. While the posts you're tagged in will still appear in search, news feed and other places on Facebook.
An Interest List
This is a way to organize the stuff you are interested in on Facebook. Facebook grants you the option to create your own interest lists depending on the things that you care about. But that's not all, you can also follow other people's lists. For instance, you could make a "Top Rock Bands" list that features bands' Page, along with public updates from individual band members.
To create your personal interest list, go to https://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/interests and click the 'Create List' button. Once you've selected the things you want to include, you can name your list and select a privacy setting. If you choose the 'Public' option, you will allow other users to subscribe to the list you've created.
Turn Off Mobile Push Notifications
There is way to stop those endless notifications on your mobile phone about Facebook updates, which is so frustrating. The so called "Push" can be either turned on or off from your Facebook app or the settings on your smartphone.
From your Android, iPhone or iPad follow this pattern: Privacy Settings > Notifications > Mobile Push and un-tick the things you don't want to get notifications about.
