FACEBOOK: IN YOUR FACE

Next week Facebook’s 36 million users will be forced to use the new design. According to project manager, Mark Slee, the “new” Facebook is supposed to be simpler, cleaner, more relevant, and easier to control.While that may be the case, many users (1,070,698 in one group alone) are rebelling. By joining groups to petition Facebook, users hope the higher-ups will recognize the group and keep the old layout, giving users the option of choosing which version of the design they prefer.

Facebook did display a feedback button so that while checking out the new version, users could comment on bugs, make suggestions for improvements, or voice their overall opinion. In their blog, Facebook claims to have received feedback from more than 600,000 users, though not addressing this overwhelming amount of petitioners may be an indication that Facebook isn’t really listening.

We’re not sure what Facebook will end up doing, but we believe that this is a good example of why it is extremely important to listen to your community. When you provide tools for sounding off, you’ve got to consider the suggestions and concerns you receive or you run the risk of alienating members of your community and losing their support.