For years, Facebook’s Poke button lingered in obscurity – buried deep within menus and settings that made it nearly impossible to find. The once popular way to get a friend’s attention on the social network seemed destined for a permanent digital dustbin.
But in an unlikely comeback, the Poke is experiencing a major resurgence in usage thanks to some behind-the-scenes design changes by Meta.
The Return of a Facebook Relic
While Facebook never technically removed the Poke feature entirely, it was essentially hidden from view starting in the early 2010s. Only the most dedicated users knew how to unearth the option to digitally nudge their friends.
That all changed in early 2024 when Meta made a small but pivotal UI update.
With this design tweak, Facebook now automatically surfaces the Poke button anytime a user searches for someone’s profile. Rather than being buried in sub-menus, it’s now one of the first options you see alongside messaging, viewing a friend’s timeline, and other core functions.
This simple change to increase the Poke’s visibility paid off in a big way. Meta said Pokes went up 13 times after this design change.
Also Read: WhatsApp adds four new text formatting options
Surprisingly, over half of the new poking activities are coming from Gen Z and younger millennial users – generations that largely missed the original Facebook Poking craze when it first launched in the mid-2000s.
Why Pokes Are Popular Again
So why exactly is this relic from Facebook’s early days finding a new audience over 15 years later? There are a few key reasons behind the Poke Revival:
1. Nostalgia Factor
For users who remember the original heyday of Facebook in the late 2000s, getting a Poke in 2024 can feel like a little burst of nostalgia.
It’s a callback to those earlier, simpler days of college social networking before the News Feed, before Facebook metamorphosed into a media behemoth. A well-timed Poke is a reminder of those more innocent times.
2. Low-Effort Connection
In today’s world of endless notifications and digital noise, a Poke stands out as a casual, low-effort way to simply let someone know you’re thinking of them. While messaging or commenting requires more effort, a Poke is the online equivalent of a light nudge to get someone’s attention.
3. Flirty But Friendly
While Pokes always had a hint of flirtation thanks to their semi-anonymous nature, the new generation sees them more as a playful way to greet friends and connections rather than outright romantic overtures.
In an age of dating apps, Pokes are now flirty but decidedly casual.
4. Fulfills Desire for Real Connections
When Facebook first launched, it was meant as a virtual space for connecting with real-world friends, crushes, and acquaintances. As Facebook evolved into a media and advertising juggernaut, that original social use case got diluted.
But the simple Poke feature is a throwback to just casually reaching out to people you actually know offline. The current resurgence of poking could signal users’ desire for Facebook to get back to basics with personal connections.
How to Poke on Facebook in 2024
So now that Facebook Pokes are suddenly cool again, how do you get in on the action? It’s simple:
- Use Facebook’s search bar to find a friend’s name
- When their profile appears in the results, click the gray “Poke” button next to their name
- They’ll get a notification letting them know you poked them!
You can also bring up the full Poke page by searching “pokes” or “poking” in Facebook to see a reverse-chronological list of all your recent pokes and pokes received.
Whether nostalgic kicks, low-key flirting, or simply letting friends know you’re thinking of them, Facebook’s iconic Poke feature has made a stunning return from the dead.
So go ahead and exercise those dusty old poking fingers – your friends and followers will get a kick out of this retro resurgence from social media’s early days.
