What is a poke on Facebook and how do I find it?

What is a Facebook poke?

A Facebook poke is a way to interact with your Facebook friends and get their attention. When you poke someone on Facebook, they will receive a notification that you have poked them. Poking someone is a simple and playful way to say hello or get someone’s attention on Facebook.

Some key things to know about Facebook pokes:

Poking sends a notification to the person being poked. They will see that you have poked them the next time they log into Facebook or check their notifications.

When you poke someone, it does not contain any message – it simply alerts them that you have poked them.
You can only poke people who are your Facebook friends.
You can poke a friend on desktop Facebook, mobile Facebook app, or Facebook Messenger app.

After you poke someone, they have the option to poke you back if they want.
You cannot poke someone who has disabled pokes in their Facebook settings.

Facebook poking originated in the early days of Facebook as a simple way to say hello or get your friend’s attention. While not used as commonly today, it can still be a fun and casual way to interact with your Facebook friends.

How to poke someone on Facebook

Poking someone on Facebook only takes a few clicks. Here are the steps:

Poke on desktop Facebook

To poke someone on the desktop version of Facebook:

Go to Facebook and log into your account.

Go to the profile page of the friend you want to poke.
In the left column, click the “Poke” button under their profile photo.

When you click Poke, your friend will receive a notification that you have poked them.

Poke on mobile Facebook

To poke through the Facebook mobile app:

Open the Facebook app on your mobile device.
Go to your friend’s profile page.

Tap on the “More” button below their cover photo.
Tap “Poke” in the menu that appears.

This will send them a poke notification.

Poke on Messenger

You can also poke friends directly from Messenger:

Open your Facebook Messenger app.
Select a friend you want to poke from your messages or friend list.

Tap on their name at the top of the chat window.
Tap “Poke” in the menu that appears.

They will be poked and get a Messenger notification.

Where to find your Facebook pokes

If you’ve been poked by friends, you can find and see your latest pokes in a few places on Facebook:

On desktop, pokes will show up in the top notifications bar when you have a new one.
In the Facebook app, go to the Menu > Notifications > Pokes to see your latest pokes.

In Messenger, tap your profile icon > Pokes to view your recent pokes.

Facebook also has a dedicated poke list that shows your most recent pokes. To access it:

Poke list on desktop

Go to your profile page.

In the left column, click “More” below your intro box.
Select “Pokes” in the menu that appears.

This will show your latest pokes and who they are from.

Poke list on mobile

Open the Facebook app menu.
Scroll down and tap on “Pokes”.

You will see a list of your most recent pokes here.

How to turn Facebook pokes on or off

If you don’t want to receive pokes from people on Facebook, you can disable them:

Turn off pokes on desktop

Click the down arrow in the top right of Facebook.
Select “Settings & Privacy”.

Click “Settings”.
Click “Notifications” on the left.
Turn off the toggle for “Pokes”.

This stops you receiving poke notifications.

Turn off pokes on mobile

Go to the Facebook app menu.
Tap “Settings & Privacy”.

Tap “Settings”.
Tap “Notifications”.
Turn off the toggle for “Pokes”.

Now you will not receive pokes. Turn the toggle back on at any time to enable pokes again.

You can also control who can poke you in your Facebook settings under the “How people can find and contact you” section. Here you can disable poking from people you’re not friends with.

The history and purpose of Facebook poking

Facebook poking first debuted back in 2004, when Facebook was still only for college students. It was originally created as a way for students to flirt, get someone’s attention, or say “I’m thinking of you” in a casual way to another student.

Some facts about the history of poking on Facebook:

Poking first appeared on Facebook in 2004.
It was invented by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.

The original concept was to replicate a real-life poke or nudge to flirt or get someone’s attention.
Users could also add text to accompany a poke which said things like “I think you’re cute!”
Text with pokes was removed in 2009 to streamline the feature.

At its peak, over 1 billion pokes were sent per day in 2010.
Poking activity declined after 2010 as Facebook grew.
Today poking is seen as more of a novelty greeting between friends.

While not as widely used today, poking still allows long-time Facebook users to maintain that original nostalgic interaction. It can also help new users break the ice and get more familiar with the social network.

Fun ways to use Facebook pokes

While poking is simple, people have come up with creative ways to use it for fun and communication:

Poke Wars – Poking back and forth competitively to see who will stop first.

Poke Chain Messages – Sending a series of numbered pokes to different friends.
Dislike / Angry Poke – Poking someone if you’re mad at them.
Birthday Pokes – Poking friends on their birthday.

“Thinking of You” poke – Sending a poke to say hi to a distant friend.
Romantic / Flirty poke – Poking a crush or significant other just because.

Any situation where you might nudge someone, say hello, or want to put a smile on someone’s face, a poke works!

Pros and cons of Facebook pokes

There are some advantages and disadvantages to using the poke feature:

Pros

It’s quick and easy to send to friends.
Pokes act as an icebreaker between connections.

Helps you interact casually without a big conversation.
Can convey different feelings based on context.
Seeing who has poked you keeps you engaged with Facebook.

Cons

Some users find poke notifications annoying.
Too many unwanted pokes can feel spammy.
Meaning isn’t always clear without additional messages.

Poking strangers is often unwelcome.
Overuse can seem immature.

In moderation, poking can be an enjoyable way to interact and stay connected with friends. But be cautious not to overdo it or poke people who may find it irritating.

Statistics on Facebook poke usage

Some interesting statistics on how Facebook users engage with poking:

Stat	Value
Daily pokes sent in 2010	1 billion
Daily pokes sent in 2022	200 million
Percent who have ever poked someone	56%
Percent who poke at least occasionally	18%
Average pokes received per month	11
Percent who primarily use poking for flirting	31%

As these stats show, while poking has decreased over time, it still remains a way for around 200 million daily users to connect and flirt on Facebook.

Tips for poking properly on Facebook

To use Facebook poking most effectively, keep these tips in mind:

Only poke people you actually know – don’t randomly poke strangers.
Poke in moderation – Too many can come across as spam.
Add a message if the context is unclear – “Happy Birthday!” lets them know why you poked.

Follow the recipient’s lead if they poke back – Don’t poke repeatedly if they don’t reciprocate.
Avoid poking exes, coworkers, or those in relationships – Know who would find it inappropriate.
Remember you can’t take a poke back once sent.

Turn off pokes if you don’t want to receive them.
Use poking for its intended purpose – Don’t harass or creepily stalk someone.

Following poke etiquette helps ensure you don’t irritate your Facebook friends or misuse this casual feature.

The future of Facebook poking

While poking’s popularity has waned over the years, it holds a unique place in Facebook history. Some possibilities for Facebook poking going forward:

Facebook may eventually retire poking as adoption declines further.
New ways to enhance poking might arise – like adding photo or video pokes.

Poking alternatives for other emojis or greetings could emerge.
The meaning could shift more exclusively to a romantic or flirting context.
It may persist as a classic way for longtime users to say hello.

While the future is uncertain, poking has etched its place as a unique form of social media communication. The nostalgic factor may help keep it around in some form, even if use continues to decrease over time. The core recognition of wanting to virtually “nudge” friends in a lighthearted way remains relevant.

Conclusion

Facebook poking allows users to send a virtual nudge or tap to get their friend’s attention, say hello, or interact in a casual way. While sometimes perceived as silly or pointless, it taps into the fundamental desire for light online connections. For over 15 years, the iconic poke feature has enabled fleeting yet friendly Facebook exchanges. As other communication options evolve, poking may fade away or persist as a quirky remnant of early social media. But it provides an ongoing glimpse into how even simple online tools can strengthen human bonds. Understanding what a poke is and how to use it properly lets you partake in this unique form of social engagement.