Facebook is testing a mute button for all its annoying notifications

Facebook might finally make it easier to tame its most annoying problem: notifications.

The company appears to be testing a new feature that would let users temporarily mute all mobile notifications, according to new screenshots purportedly taken in the beta app.

The feature, which was spotted by digital media consultant Matt Navarra, adds a "do not disturb" button which essentially acts as an on/off switch for notifications in the Facebook app.

Navarra also reports the social network is testing time limits for do not disturb, so you can mute notifications for a pre-determined period of time.

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It's not clear how big the current test is or if Facebook plans to make the feature available to everyone. The company declined to comment, but it often tests new features with small groups of users and doesn't always make them available to everyone.

That said, the feature would be in line with the company's recent moves to emphasize "time well-spent." Facebook's been criticized for years for its overly aggressive notifications, which are designed to pull users to spend more time in the app, not less. Last month, the social network finally agreed to reduce the number of awful "you're now connected on Messenger" notifications after widespread complaints.

Code unearthed from the company's Android app suggests it's also testing a feature that alerts you to how much time you've spent in the app, along with reminders when you've reached a pre-set time limit.

Of course, this doesn't mean you'll be free of the annoying notifications altogether, They'll still be waiting for you in the Facebook app, website, and possibly even Instagram too.