Facebook tagging is a feature that allows users to identify and link to other Facebook users in posts, photos, and comments. There has been some discussion recently about whether Facebook has made changes to how tagging works on the platform.
What is tagging on Facebook?
Tagging on Facebook involves typing the @ symbol followed by a person’s name when creating a post or comment or tagging someone in a photo. This creates a link to their profile and will notify them that they have been tagged. Users can tag friends, family, co-workers, businesses/organizations, and public figures.
Some key things to know about tagging on Facebook:
- Tagging someone in a post or comment will link to their profile and send them a notification letting them know they’ve been tagged.
- Tagging someone in a photo tags them in that photo and adds the photo to the “Photos of You” section on their profile.
- Users have to approve tags before they appear on their own profile.
- Tagged users can remove tags from posts/comments but not photos.
- Tagging businesses or public figures follows them without sending a notification.
- There are options to review, limit, or turn off tagging.
Overall, tagging allows users to interact with friends and connections, identify people in photos, and link to relevant profiles from posts and comments.
Has Facebook changed how tagging works?
There have been reports recently that Facebook has tweaked aspects of how tagging functions on the platform. Specifically, some users have noticed changes to:
- Tag suggestions when typing in posts and comments
- Notifications when tagged in posts/comments vs photos
- Limitations around tagging users who are not friends
Let’s explore what’s new with Facebook tagging and how it compares to the previous functionality.
Tag suggestions
Previously when typing a post or comment, Facebook would suggest friends to tag based on the text typed. For example, if you typed “@Ma” it might pop up “Mary Smith” as a suggestion to tag.
Recently, some users have reported seeing fewer or no tag recommendations as they are typing. Facebook has confirmed they have updated the tag suggestions algorithm to only show recommendations when a user is “most likely to tag that friend in this post.”
So in some cases, you may not see tag suggestions pop up even when typing a friend’s name. The goal is to provide more “relevant” recommendations rather than all possible matches.
Notifications
Another change is that being tagged in a post or comment does not guarantee the tagged user will receive a notification. Previously, tagging someone in any post or comment would trigger a notification to that person.
Now, Facebook’s algorithm will determine if the tag is “meaningful” enough to warrant a notification. If you tag someone in a post but they are unlikely to care about or engage with that post, they may not be notified.
The goal is to cut down on notification overload from tags that are irrelevant to the user. However, this means users may miss some tags if the algorithm decides it’s not an important notification.
On the other hand, being tagged in a photo will still trigger a notification as usual, since Facebook assumes users will always want to know when they are tagged in a photo.
Limitations on tagging non-friends
Facebook has also introduced some new limits on being able to tag users who are not your friends. Previously, you could tag anyone with a public profile on Facebook even if you were not friends.
Now, your ability to tag non-friends will be limited in some circumstances. For example, you may not be able to tag a non-friend in a public post or comment if you have no connections in common. You also may not be able to tag non-friends in posts in Groups or Events you are not both members of.
The goal here is to reduce unwanted tagging and limit the reach of tagging between strangers or distant connections. However, it also represents a notable change in how public tagging works.
Examples of Facebook’s tagging changes
To illustrate how these tagging changes impact the user experience, here are some examples:
No tag recommendations when mentioning friends
Previously:
As I start typing a post, I write “@Je” and Facebook suggests I tag my friend Jennifer Edwards.
Now:
As I start typing a post, I write “@Je” but no tag recommendations appear even though I have a friend named Jennifer Edwards.
No notification when tagged in a post
Previously:
My friend Kelly tags me in a post about her latest vacation photos. I get a notification about Kelly’s post and can see I’m tagged.
Now:
My friend Kelly tags me in a post showing her dinner from last night. I don’t get any notification so I’m unaware I’ve been tagged.
Unable to tag non-friends
Previously:
I’m able to tag my favorite celebrity chef in a public post praising their recipe even though we are not Facebook friends.
Now:
When I try to tag a celebrity chef in a post, I get an error that I “can’t tag this person” since we have no connections in common.
Why did Facebook change tagging features?
Facebook has not officially announced or confirmed all of the tagging changes being reported by users. However, they appear to be intended to:
- Reduce notification overload from irrelevant tags
- Limit unwanted tagging between people who don’t know each other
- Improve relevance of tag recommendations
- Give users more control over their tagging experience
By tweaking these aspects of tagging, Facebook likely aims to refine the feature and address complaints around unwanted tags, irrelevant notifications, and tagging abuse.
The changes related to non-friend tagging also tie into Facebook’s increased focus on “meaningful social interactions.” They want to encourage tagging between close connections rather than distant acquaintances or strangers.
How people are reacting to the changes
Reactions to Facebook’s tagging changes among users are mixed. Here are some of the common viewpoints:
Positive reactions
- Like having fewer irrelevant tag notifications
- Appreciate more control over tags showing on my profile
- Tag suggestions seem more accurate now
- Makes sense to limit tagging non-friends
Negative reactions
- Too difficult to tag friends without suggestions
- Miss notifications about random tags from acquaintances
- Annoying I can’t tag non-friends for legitimate reasons
- Seems overly restrictive
As with any Facebook update, people have strong opinions in both directions. Power users in particular appear frustrated by declines in tagging functionality. But many casual users seem pleased with the changes aimed at improving relevance and control.
Tips for tagging on Facebook after the changes
Here are some tips to keep in mind for tagging people on Facebook given the recent updates:
- Tag thoughtfully – only tag people who you think will genuinely care about the post.
- Use nicknames or unique terms to trigger tag suggestions if needed.
- Double check notifications from tags in case you missed any.
- Review your tag approval/review settings and adjust as needed.
- Use photo tagging for important memories you want notifications about.
- Send a message if you want to ensure someone sees an important tag.
Exercising more care around tagging aligned with Facebook’s goals can help avoid problems caused by the changes. Relying more on alternative methods like messages or photo tags can also help fill any gaps.
The future of tagging on Facebook
Facebook will likely continue evolving how tagging works across its apps to balance user control with features for engagement. We can expect further shifts aimed at encouraging meaningful connections and reducing tag abuse.
Some potential future tagging changes include:
- Facial recognition for automatic photo tagging
- Restrictions on tagging children
- New blocking options for unwanted tags
- Revamped review/approval process for tags
- Expanded tag suggestions based on image recognition
While inconvenient for some users, Facebook’s tagging adjustments do reflect larger trends toward relevance and privacy across social media. The importance of tagging is unlikely to diminish given its central role in connecting users. But expect ongoing revisions surrounding when, where and how we can tag each other.
Conclusion
Facebook has made several updates to how tagging works on its platform, including changes to tag notifications, suggestions, and limits around tagging non-friends. These updates aim to improve relevance and user control but have received mixed reactions from the Facebook community.
As tagging evolves, being thoughtful about tagging, using alternative strategies, and exercising settings around tag visibility can help ensure you continue connecting with the right people. While disruptive in the short term, Facebook’s tagging changes may ultimately create a better experience around this iconic social media feature.