Facebook’s new feature ‘Discover People’ is evoking mixed reactions from everyone around the world. The social networking platform is slowly taking on the qualities of a networking and dating app, and I honestly can’t say if I am too thrilled about it.
What is Discover People?
Facebook’s new feature allows users to connect with people who are
- Attending the events they’re interested in
- Living in their town
- Working in the same company
How do I locate this feature?
Since this is an incremental update, you might not see it right away. But to check, look at the bottom segment of your Facebook app. Notice those three vertical lines in the bottom right corner? Click on that.
You’ll see the ‘Discover People’ feature here, below Friends, Events, Groups, and Nearby Places.
How do I get started?
Tap on Discover People and set up your profile. It’s a simple enough process where you have to update your bio and add pictures to your profile and Facebook guides you through the process quite helpfully.
Below this segment, you’ll see a list marked ‘People going to …”. This is where you have all the upcoming events you’ve been invited to, plan to attend, or have shown interest in. When you tap on a specific event, you’re shown the profiles of the people who’re going. You can swipe through them one by one to check out their profile.
Right at the bottom of the screen, you’ll be shown a different list – that of people living in your town or working in the same company you do. None of the sections will feature people you’re already friends with, because the point is to meet someone new, right?
Like I said earlier, I am not too happy with this new feature. There are a lot of people like me who guard their privacy quite jealously and would hate to attract unwanted attention from random people. On the other hand, those who love making friends will be ecstatic by the opportunity this tool presents them with.
Discover People debuted in Australia and New Zealand in 2016 and now has been rolled out to iOS and Android users all over the world. Happy networking, people!