Social media has taken on new roles as it developed. Once believed to be simply a way for people to connect and share, Mark Zuckerberg’s “Facebook” has long since slipped into the marketing game. Early in 2013, the social media giant introduced a search function designed to help users with similar interests find one another. At its inception it was targeted at consumer interests (“Common Ground” n.p.). Today, new lists on Facebook can allow you to follow social and political posts from friends and strangers alike.
Facebook interest lists allow users to select categories in which they are interested. Within these, more specific sub-categories can be chosen. Not unlike the personalization efforts of homepage hopefuls like MSN, a user’s newsfeed can now include posts with self-selected interests (“Common Ground” n.p.).
Among the categories for interest lists is one for Facebook politics. It includes both American parties, world politics, federal and state politics and political journalists. By selecting a sub-category, users can view a Facebook page dedicated to their choice, follow it, and see various pages and people associated with it.
Finding users who are politically engaged can be done using search filters and search. Believed to have been removed, filter searches remain, but are just now as user friendly. Searching for other users using keyword searches simply requires users to stack the keywords (“Search Filters” n.p.).
Finding people who are politically active on Facebook is simply a matter of looking for them. Even a search engine inquiry can provide users with links to political keywords. Using the search filters on Facebook, however, is the most efficient method.
Works Cited
“Common Ground: Facebook Announces Search Function to Help Users Find Others with Similar Interests.” The Daily Orange. Syracuse University. Web. 29 February 2016.
“Search Filters.” Facebook Help. Facebook. Web. 29 February 2016.
