Facebook shortcuts are handy keyboard shortcuts that allow you to quickly navigate Facebook on desktop. Instead of clicking around with your mouse, you can use keyboard combinations to do things like liking posts, opening new tabs, and more.
But where exactly do these time-saving shortcuts come from? Facebook has added and removed various shortcuts over the years as the site has evolved. While some shortcuts have clear origins, the history behind other Facebook shortcuts is less obvious.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Accessibility
One source of Facebook keyboard shortcuts is accessibility. Facebook has included some shortcuts like Skip to Main Content (Shift + /) to help those who rely on keyboard navigation or screen readers.
By using header tags and providing keyboard shortcuts, Facebook aims to make its site more accessible to all users. Other shortcuts like Turn on/off Dark Mode (Shift + .) also stem from accessibility needs.
Shortcuts Adapted from Other Sites
Some Facebook shortcuts are modeled after popular shortcuts on other major sites. For example, Ctrl + D to bookmark/save a page is a shortcut that Chrome and other browsers use. So Facebook implemented the same shortcut for its Save button.
Other adapted shortcuts include Ctrl + F for Find and Ctrl + left/right arrow for Back/Forward. These shortcuts provide a consistent experience for users moving between sites.
Shortcuts for Power Users
Other Facebook shortcuts seem designed with power users in mind. For instance, J/K for scrolling up/down through News Feed lets you skim content very quickly.
Keyboard shortcuts like L for liking posts and C for commenting also optimize the experience for heavy Facebook users. These users likely prefer keyboard shortcuts over mousing around Facebook.
New Shortcuts for New Features
As Facebook releases new features, additional shortcuts often come along with them. A recent example is when Facebook introduced Reels, short videos similar to TikTok.
Facebook added shortcuts like M to mute/unmute when viewing Reels. So new shortcuts emerge alongside new parts of the Facebook experience.
Testing and Experimentation
Facebook engineers and product designers likely test out various keyboard shortcuts during the development process. Useful shortcuts make it into the final product while others get scrapped.
There may also be some experimentation with shortcuts after launch. Facebook could test out new shortcuts with a small percentage of users to see if they improve engagement.
Inspired by Other Apps
Facebook may also take inspiration from the custom keyboard shortcuts available in other applications. For example, Gmail lets you set up shortcuts to archive messages or mark them as read.
The Facebook team could borrow ideas for shortcuts from other apps people use daily. If the shortcuts prove useful in usability testing, they get implemented.
User Research and Feedback
In addition to internal testing, Facebook may look at user research and feedback to identify helpful shortcuts. Requests and comments from power users could reveal shortcuts people want.
If the Facebook team notices many users desire a particular shortcut, they may work to incorporate it. User research helps ensure shortcuts align with how people navigate Facebook.
Why Do Some Shortcuts Seem Random?
While some Facebook shortcuts have clear origins, others like G for going to Groups may seem more random. These shortcuts likely come from internal testing and experimentation over the years.
The randomness also provides memorability. Unique shortcut combinations like G for Groups stick in your head better than more generic shortcuts might.
Over time, Facebook has refined and tweaked its keyboard shortcuts. The current set of shortcuts balance utility for power users with ease of memorization for casual users. The keyboard shortcut options make Facebook navigation efficient while maintaining accessibility.
So in summary, Facebook keyboard shortcuts arise from a mix of accessibility needs, internal testing, feature expansions, and user feedback. The shortcuts evolve continually as both Facebook and user behaviors change over time.