Facebook

Reviewing Facebook in 2026 feels a bit like discussing gravity - it’s simply a part of our lives, and most of us are already using it, whether we want to or not. I recently installed the app on a new device and made sure to pay close attention this time. Here are my genuine thoughts.
 
Core Feed
The core feature of Facebook is your News Feed, which serves as the main source for updates from friends, family, the Pages you follow, and the Groups you belong to. Most users begin their experience here and spend significant time catching up on posts, status updates, and shared links. Messenger is also closely integrated, allowing you to easily start private conversations, even though it operates as a separate app.
 
Groups and Community
The Groups feature is truly underrated. I'm part of several hobby communities, and I find the discussions, polls, and event tools to be very effective. If you're looking to connect with others who share your interests or to organise in-person meetups, Groups are among the most useful aspects of Facebook.
 
Commerce
Marketplace is surprisingly useful if you're interested in buying and selling locally. I’ve found some great deals in my neighbourhood, and the tools make transactions quick and easy.
 
Video
Facebook provides Reels for short video clips and Stories, which appear at the top of your Feed. This ensures that there's always something quick to watch, whether it's content from friends or trending videos online. These features are designed to compete with similar offerings on other social apps, all seamlessly integrated into the main interface.
 
It's a lot, and that's the point: Meta has attempted to make this one app do everything.
 
Now, let’s discuss the drawbacks. The app can feel cluttered, as each time you open it, a new tab or feature vies for your attention. The algorithm that determines what you see can be inconsistent, and on average, I noticed about five ads during just ten minutes of scrolling through the News Feed. This quickly adds up and really disrupts the experience. Additionally, battery usage is an important consideration - after thirty minutes of moderate browsing, I observed that my battery had dropped by nearly 10 percent. If you are on a limited data plan or using an older device, you'll want to keep an eye on both aspects.
 
Although Facebook may no longer be the trendiest platform, it remains effective for connecting with people who don't use newer social media platforms. It's reliable, widely utilised, and truly helpful for finding information about local events, joining groups, and keeping in touch with older relatives who are unlikely to adopt any new apps.
 
If your social circle is active on it, it's worth installing. If you're seeking a fresh, minimalist social experience, this isn't it. However, for community building, local discovery, and family connections, it remains valuable.

1. Download and sign in: Log in with your existing account or create a new one. The setup process takes about three minutes. While getting started, it's a good idea to quickly review your privacy settings. This helps you control who can see your posts and personal information from the start.
2. Set up your Feed preferences: Tap the three-line menu in the top right, go to Settings & Privacy, and select Feed. Decide which types of posts and updates you want to see more (or less) of. Adjusting these settings early helps fill your Feed with content you care about.
3. Join some Groups: Tap the Groups icon in the bottom navigation bar. Search for hobbies, your local neighbourhood, or interests. This is really where Facebook excels these days.
4. Check out Marketplace: Tap the small shop icon and browse local listings. You can filter by distance and category. Perfect for furniture, gadgets, and miscellaneous finds.
5. Manage notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications and turn off any alerts that don't matter to you. Default settings are quite aggressive.
6. Pro tip: Use the "See First" feature on your close friends' profiles so their posts don't get buried. Just visit their profile → tap Following → Favourites.