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Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)

By Simon Fletcher
October 6, 2009
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Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)Update from Facebook at the foot of this post

We have been tipped off that there may be an “improved” version of the Facebook news feed in the works. The new feed is not very different from the current one available, but it does lack Facebook’s signature “Publisher” box by default and instead simply features an alternating title and a button (positioned to the top right of the news feed) with the text “Update Status” which when clicked, displays the publisher box.Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)

The design also features a new “Top News” link (The link then switches to “Recent Stories” once you have clicked the “Top News” link) which shows an overview of the top news on your news feed (this seems to filter the feeds that have received the most comments/likes).

The refreshed design reminds us of the new Facebook Lite design in terms of the new grey buttons and subtitles at the top of the news feed. We are currently unsure if this is a site-wide change or if it is only being tested on a select few accounts. Do you see these changes on your news feed? If so, how long have you experienced the new design and what are your thoughts on the changes?

Do you miss the Facebook publisher showing by default or do you prefer the new “lighter” design? You can find several screenshots of the design changes below.

Recent Stories

Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)

Top News

Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)

Another screenshot of the new recent stories view

Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)

Thanks to Sam for this tip!

*Update:* I have seen these changes for myself and we can absolutely guarantee that the above screenshots are not a hoax and are genuine.

*Update 2:* We have received confirmation from Facebook regarding the news feed and pass on the following statement:

“We are currently testing different designs of the News Feed and the home page with select users. The tests help us understand if we can make it easier for users to balance both the most important and the most recent information from people they’re connected to.”


  • Not seen any changes happen to me yet. Not entirely sure about this update. The News Feed is fine as it is for now. Don't like the 'Update Status' button really as the current box is simple for tapping out a quick status/link/picture.

    I would be interested to see the general reaction to this if Facebook do decide to do a full roll-out.
  • Simon Fletcher
    I do find it strange myself that they have opted to make you click a button before you can post out a status..
  • Really, I miss the old facebook , the one before the current ..

    The current you need to be online at least 12 hours per day if you have a lot of friends to keep up with the news ..

    The old one was just collect the important things in a way much better than that "Highlights" column !
  • While the security of blurring out names is appreciated, and a good policy to see regardless of the source, it's still really easy to see some of the names on these screenshots. Just figured I'd make a note of it.
  • Scott
    Simon needs to learn how to properly blur names for anonymity.

    I'd check with Jason Westerfield, Richard Hales, Alice Burgess, Louise Stokes, or Sam McEwan. Definitely don't learn from Tasha Fulton - she's just given up completely.
  • I didn't blur the names! Someone else did for me haha :) I'll improve the blur myself now :).
  • Whats with the stupid blurring? I can still read the names.
  • KspraY
    Are you kidding me with these screenshots? Take the names out for cripes sakes.
  • As said before we didn't blur the images, we were handed them. We don't have the originals therefore we can't improve them I'm afraid!
  • I guess a few days back this happened to my facebook account.
    For around 1hour my page was transformed into a similar page and all apps had gone dead no app updates or anything.

    I even twitted about that. Thought facebook #fail.
    lol.
    But i guess this could be better than facebook lite.
  • Z
    Hmm, how about spending some time on fixing FB chat? Yes, it sucks. Badly.

    And what is with this 4 day lag when I refresh? Meaning, why does it often show my newsfeed from 4 days ago, instead of today? Current?

    Don't waste your time changing the page. Spend your time finishing what you started.
  • Gubatron
    What a lazy job at blurring those names dude, can read them all:

    Jason Waterfield, Chris Davies, Louise Stokes, Sam McEwan... lol
  • Gubatron
    ok, that was quick. (fixed the blur)
  • shadow
    No, he didn't.
  • Dave Jenkins
    who liek cares as long as new twilight movie still update yes
  • shadow
    Hmmm... No.
  • Blake
    Might want to better mask peoples names :)
  • SD
    I'm not sure if you realize this, but you didn't blur the names enough; I can easily read all of the blurred names, including the person logged in. You might want to change that...
  • SD
    oops sorry, I guess I had this window open for a long time before posting; didn't see the discussion above.
  • shadow
    Dude, did you blur the names on thos pics yourself? I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but that blur sucks, I can still read the original names:

    Sam McEwan
    Jason Waterfield
    Louise Stokes
    Richard Haless
    Alice Burgess
    Tasha Fulton
    Stephen Mcewan
    Tomy Brown
    Amber Coe

    And the list goes on...
  • It's quite an annoying thing. I myself received the screenshots already blurred and all we can do to stop the names from being read is blur the blur even more - which makes it look even worse in some ways. The blur isn't necessary really anyway as it was just a nice gesture to the users in the screenshots. Hopefully we can get copies of the original shots later today to improve the quality of the article :).
  • shadow
    Hey, these comments werent showing up when I got here. You should check this issue...
  • kade
    I'm glad those names are blurred out, I would easily be able to see them otherwise!
  • Please Facebook Stop that, haha.

    Everything it´s mixed up, i don´t really care anyway. WAVEEEEE!!!
  • I love the attempt at hiding the names in the screenshots. Shame that you can still see them perfectly :D
  • I don't like when they change Facebook. It is fine the way it is. Why fix something that isn't broken?
  • risoto
  • Interesting, I seem to also be in on the refresh, and have been for the past several days. I've uploaded an image at http://bit.ly/q52s7
  • Maria Mooshil
    CANNOT STAND the version they've given me. I can't follow easily what people are saying. There are just icons without the words unless I run the mouse over it. It looks like there's stuff missing and there is. Facebook Lite indeed. HATE IT. Let me have my most recent home page back!!!

    Also, how are they tracking what we think of it? No one asked me, or sent a survey or anything.
  • Wow i definatly love the new facebook!
  • Frances Azlin
    Their are problems with Applications, memory out on the games! I think some one needs to fix these before trying to up grade
  • Merlin76
    Good to know Huston was popular. ,
  • JXL71
    While each state has its own rules of evidence, many states model their rules on the Federal Rules of Evidence, which themselves relate closely to the common-law mode of examination. ,
  • Ct
    I miss old facebook~
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