Facebook reminded me to watch 'Bones' — a show I haven't liked in seven years
Facebook has a sharing problem. A year ago data revealed that Facebook users were posting "fewer things about their personal lives for their friends to see," The Information reported.
What was once a place where people shared what they were up to (ex. "Kerry Flynn ... is doing homework") or made plans on someone else's wall (ex. "party tonight?") has morphed into an algorithmic feed surfacing fake news and pornographic live videos.
While those Facebook "likes" are leading to strong ad targeting and videos are raking in views, once-active users are turning to share their own memories on rival apps like Snapchat.
But a potential solution has arrived. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Facebook asked me a question. At the very top of my News Feed on desktop, a note reminded me that the first episode of the final season of "Bones" would be on:
I was startled. First off, I had never seen Facebook alert me in this fashion for something like a TV show. Secondly, I had no idea that "Bones" was ending. (Sorry, Billy Eichner, missed your sketch until now.)
With this message, Facebook is not only asking "What's on your mind?" It's telling you what it thinks could be or perhaps should be on your mind.
I can't recall the last episode of "Bones" I watched. After a quick Google search, I think I stopped watching after Season 4 in 2009. Season 11 just aired.
The crime drama was one of my favorite shows in high school, right around the time I liked the "Bones" Facebook Page. Back then, "Bones" was not only cool in my mind, but so was filling out my Facebook profile with my favorite TV shows.
Even though I don't know if I've ever posted about my love for "Bones" or liked any posts related to it, the world's largest social network decided to tell me and all Facebook users in the U.S. that follow the official Facebook Page about it.
Unfortunately, I couldn't really answer the question. Is Hodgins still there?
Facebook told Mashable that the alert is part of an ongoing test to send "timely reminders about things people want to share."
These reminders are not paid for or at all advertorial. Instead, Facebook is choosing (read: making editorial choices on) what shows to spotlight.
Similar messages have been created since late 2015 and were shared for other TV shows such as the season finale of Westworld and the premiere of the Man in the High Castle, sports events such as the Abu Dhabi grand prix and the World Series, and holidays such as World Animal Day and National Writing Month.
This experience is part of an even larger effort at Facebook to bring more voice into your News Feed. Mashable reported that Facebook is running more shareable cards at the top of the feed to highlight historic moments not unlike the Google Doodle in the hopes of exciting users.
The voice of Facebook appears friendly, but if Facebook were really my friend, they would probably know that I don't watch "Bones" anymore. Thanks for the throwback, anyway.
Topics Facebook Social Media X/Twitter
Kerry Flynn is a business reporter for Mashable covering the tech industry. She previously reported on social media companies, mobile apps and startups for International Business Times. She has also written for The Huffington Post, Forbes and Money magazine. Kerry studied environmental science and economics at Harvard College, where she led The Harvard Crimson's metro news and design teams and played mellophone in the Band. When not listening to startup pitches, she runs half-marathons, plays with puppies and pretends to like craft beer.
