In early February, Facebook introduced a new data-driven mobile application to the market called Facebook Paper, which attempts to deliver exactly the information you want to see based on the stories you click.
Facebook Paper is not only a new app for checking out your Facebook news feed, but a new way to discover and consume compelling news media content from outside sources.
The content is a mix of recent and popular posts from the profile pages of Facebook’s favorite publishers, curated by a small but powerful editorial team within Facebook.
The simple interface eliminates buttons and menus and creates a new user experience much different than traditional social media apps. Another example is the tilt-to-explore feature, which allows you to see the whole image by tilting your mobile device.
Users are able to customize their own paper by choosing nine out of the 20 different categories, or mini-magazines as they’re called, plus your Facebook news feed.
The mini-magazines include the following:
- Headlines: essential news and analysis from the world’s best sources
- Tech: understanding today’s startups and tomorrow’s innovators
- Planet: adventures in science, sustainability and the natural world
- Pop Life: celebrity chatter, deals and the lowdown on TV, movies and tunes
- Score: sports news and commentary from journalists, fans and athletes themselves
- Creators: visual delights and inspiration from designers and artists around the world
- Flavor: fresh tastes, recipes, culinary news and food-related travel
- Exposure: breakthrough images and photojournalism from independent, agency and magazine sources
- Ideas: a daily, in-depth look at one standout idea, event or personality
- Enterprise: news and insights about companies, global markets and savvy investing
- Equalize: news for women and men, creating a level playing field
- All City: urban arts, sports, music and style
- Well Lived: what’s trending in destinations, activities, fashion and culture
- Family Matters: empathy, advice and hacks for life with babies, kids and teens
- Cute: adorable animals, cuddly babies and all things “awwwww-some”
- LOL: laugh-out-loud funny people, late night TV clips, viral video and podcasts
- Glow: style, substance and beauty that’s more than skin deep
- Home: beautiful interiors, decorating ideas and DIY projects for home and garden
- Pride: there’s strength in community
FOR CONTENT MARKETERS:
Here are some tips for getting your content to appear in a Facebook Paper feed:
- Find out what posts are most “liked” and create similar content.
- Focus on long-form content and video, when possible.
- Include (high-quality) imagery, because the Facebook Paper app highlights the story with an image.
- And as a universal principle for content marketing, create content that is valuable, informative or entertaining to your audience.