Facebook test adds multiple news feeds for different topics on mobile

Facebook test adds multiple news feeds for different topics on mobile

If you use one of Facebook’s mobile apps, you might have come across something odd: multiple news feeds for various different topics.

The change (first spotted by Jason Stein) is a follow up to an earlier test on the Web, and allows you to pull up streams specifically related to topics like sports, travel, headlines and more through a new navigation bar at the top of the iOS app. or by swiping to the side. It’s also a shot across the bow to Twitter’s big new Moments feature.Moments feature.

Facebook multiple news feeds
Image Credit: Jason Stein

When we asked about today’s changes on mobile, a Facebook spokesperson provided us with the following statement:

People have told us they’d like new options to see and have conversations about more stories on Facebook around specific topics they’re interested in. So we are testing feeds for people to view different stories from people and Pages based on topic areas. You can access these feeds from your Bookmarks, located underneath Favorites, or a navigation bar under Search.

It also appears the company is rolling out the eBay competitor it began testing in May to a wider swath of users, according to The Verge. The marketplace shows up as a simple ‘Shopping’ tab in the iOS app, and is tightly integrated with search to help you find nearby sellers.

No word on if or when these feature will roll out to the masses, but as with so many Facebook tests, it’s probably just a matter of time.

Jason Stein | The Verge