The 10 Most Annoying Things About Facebook
It's hardly a perfect service, though. Minor aggravations add up fast and can drive you nuts. We've combed through the annoyances to find the ten annoyances that bug people the most.
Problem: Constant interface changes
Why it's annoying: Granted, innovation is necessary to avoid becoming stale, but sometimes you're better off leaving well enough alone. Facebook has radically overhauled its front page so many times that it's hard to keep count. Just as the anger dies down over one design, the site changes things again -- and confusion sets in. What's the difference between "News feed" and "Live feed"? And why can't Facebook remember which I prefer?
Possible solution: Sadly, there's not much you can do about this -- except wait for the next face-lift.
Problem: Inappropriate automated friend suggestions
Why it's annoying: Friend suggestions can be handy, but when Facebook tries to push an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend on you, it's kind of awkward. Similarly, if you've had a major falling-out with someone who has mutual friends, you're bound to see their face pop up in the 'suggestion' field at some point. It makes a clean break that much harder to get.
Possible solution: The little "x" to the right will make the suggestion go away forever. To prevent further frustration, you might want to also click "see all" and weed out any other offending names.
Why it's annoying: 'Farmville' and 'Mafia Wars' might be fun, but if you don't want to play them, the constant invites are infuriating. Many Facebook games are like Ponzi schemes; the way to succeed is to get more people playing. And once you've managed to filter out one game, another pops up.
Possible solution: It's not too hard to hide the requests and invitations for these games. Just click "Block this application" when you get the first invite. Then, hover over the updates that are clogging your news feed, and click "Hide" when the word appears.
Problem: Political fights
Why it's annoying: Between cable news and talk radio, it's hard enough to hide the squabbling between the left and the right. So when political debates fire up on Facebook, it's particularly annoying. All you want to do is see friends' pictures and learn what they're up to -- not eavesdrop on a debate over healthcare reform.
Possible solution: If you've got a friend who picks such fights in their status updates, you might be best off hiding them. You can still check in on them whenever you'd like, but you won't have opinions shoved down your throat.
Problem: Imported updates from Twitter
Why it's annoying: Tweets have their own language and shorthand, and if you're not familiar with the 140-character-or-less updates, it might look like someone had a hand spasm while typing. Facebook and Twitter are two entirely different services -- and forcing the two together feels like a poorly arranged marriage.
Possible solution: Once again, you're kind of stuck. Your best bet is to either embrace the language of the tweet -- or learn to selectively ignore posts.
Why it's annoying: A friend proudly mentions in a status update that she got a promotion. That's an easy thing to like. But what about when they announce they've been laid off? In its relentless drive to be cheery, Facebook hasn't given us the choice to quickly commiserate or disagree with someone.
Possible solution: There's an active lobbying effort to get Facebook to add a 'Dislike' button, with over 553,000 people members of a group specifically asking for one. Hopefully, the powers that be will listen to the protests.
Problem: People who 'friend' you too fast
Why it's annoying: Sometimes it's a person you've gone out with one time. Sometimes it's a coworker you only speak with occasionally. But odds are you've been 'friended' by someone you'd rather not have on your list. Technically, ignoring the request is an option, but that can create some real world tensions.
Possible solution: Your privacy settings can make this problem an easy one to conquer. You can block specific people from seeing status updates, photos and more by choosing 'custom' and black-listing them. Then, hide their updates from your news feed.
Problem: Stealth tagging
Why it's annoying: We all have horrifying childhood pictures or shots we wouldn't want to share with the world. Invariably, though, friends will post them as a joke of sorts and tag you. All of a sudden, that prom picture of you with acne, coke-bottle glasses, and a really bad perm is out there for everyone to see.
Possible solution: You can untag yourself, which prevents others from putting your name to the picture -- but in some cases, that's closing the barn door after the horse has run away.
Why it's annoying: Celebrities love Facebook -- or so it would seem. But all too often, it's someone writing on their behalf (and often poorly). That doesn't stop avid fans from falling over themselves to 'like' every comment and chime in as part of the 'amen' chorus.
Possible solution: Unless you're sure it's actually the celebrity doing the updates, you'd often do better to just avoid the pages. After all, is it really that critical that you declare yourself as a fan?
Why it's annoying: The status update reads: "John wonders why people act that way" -- and nothing more. What happened to John? Is he confused? Have his feelings been hurt? What on earth could lead to such a mysterious comment? Give context or shut up, John. With updates like this, you're only fishing for responses. Facebook is not your personal diary.
Possible solution: If John's an especially close friend, call him. If not, just ignore the vague thoughts. If he wants to discuss specifics, that's the time to talk.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
bloomingpsycho said 2:24PM on 11-27-2009
I actually appreciated this. You had real solutions for FB issues that people might find annoying, rather than just whining about them. Myself, I don't mind the game updates and can pretty much selectively ignore anything I'm not interested in. But some people do find it irritating. You give ideas on how to make it enjoyable for everyone. Thumbs up!
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nyhippie543 said 2:37PM on 11-27-2009
And this is just some of the billions of reasons why I'm so against Facebook. I never even considered getting one until my chemistry teacher managed to bribe me with much needed extra credit points for a project. And after that, I repressed the memory until about two weeks ago when my friends tried to make a Facebook for me.
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Hellen said 2:42PM on 11-27-2009
Too bad AOL doesn't do a "The 10 most annoying things about AOL" Number one would be the comments after the articles that have ads in them for how people got laid off, but found a new website and now make a million dollars a month. Or how people are finding love on stupid websites for tall people or websites for insurance quotes. That would definately be at the top of the list for most annoying. And for AOL to say that they have no way to stop this is B.S.
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dbloom2595 said 2:51PM on 11-27-2009
I hate Mafia Wars. I unfriended a person because all his Mafia War updates were taking up so much space. I could care less about his war.
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SpiceMonkey said 4:58PM on 11-27-2009
...and don't you feel silly after reading this article and learning all you had to do was click the "ignore" button?
abp332 said 2:57PM on 11-27-2009
OMG, these are exactly the things that I hate about facebook!!! I just hope Facebook creators read this article. Don't get me wrong, I use it all the time, but certain boundaries are necessary; specially not having control of who tags you in what picture, constant suggestions of people you don't like or don't know, or "can we be friends" too soon...
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hockeydadjj11 said 3:14PM on 11-27-2009
hello to all who complain about fb i agree with some of the stuff fb does but do they care hell no as long as it does them good why should they care your not payin to use there site but if enough people bitch about they will then try to charge you. my biggest complaint is that they have people on fb that try to get in to your info on your computer then send you a virus why can't they try and figure out who they are. that really pisse's me off then they use video so click on it while your lookin at the video so aren't they lookin at stuff in your computer with out you no it. for those who don't like mw don't play it but it's almost the same on myspace don't tell me it's not only thing different you start all over that's it but all those site's have something wrong with them not just one. then i get this message in my inbox fb is coming over populated so sent out 15 request to your friend's or you'll be deleted in the next two week's. they're tryin to get rid of the one's that aren't on ever day some people won't be on for month's is that are fault no. is it real or fake who can tell when you got so many freakin hacker's out there tryin to get your info. for those who complain about i don't like when they put so in so got a turkey on fm or someone got to level 5000000 on mw don't click it that was easy. there is such a thing called private setting's try that if not owell deal with everyone does it. i can't stand when someone complain's about a site no one said you had to sign up for it you did all that on your own.
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saracabrio said 7:08PM on 11-27-2009
Mafia Wars is awsome
sendmeaspot said 3:34PM on 11-27-2009
Sounds to me like sour grapes from a lot of people who have way too time on their hands. Sure, some of these thing annoy me too, but I have a lot more things that figure a lot higher "important list." Even though I may use Facebook more than the average person, that stuff just isn't that important. My best advice? Learn how to use Facebook and it's options properly and stop all the whining.
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Sandra said 3:38PM on 11-27-2009
I just had my facebook account permanently deleted.I loved cafe world and farmville.Hated YoVille.But,,,in order for these games to work and progress..You need to have neighbors.I would accept neighbors but, not one damn neighbor would let my farm/cafe expand.So I wrote on my page and said you are all rude not helping me play my game so I quit.You have to stay off the site for 2 weeks to deactivate it.Or if you go back it will reactivate it again.Good Riddance to FaceBook
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NARKOSIS said 5:21PM on 11-27-2009
lol pleeease tell me you're joking?
Ruben said 6:50PM on 11-27-2009
That's not how it works. You can only deactivate it and it will reactivate whenever you login... even if it's been 2 years. You can not permanently delete it ever. That's one thing I hate about Facebook that we can't delete our account. I tried Facebook and can't stand it. Every time I turn around, people send stupid hearts or drinks or whatever stupid gifts there are, like I have time to accept all that or have to go in and block it all. And every time you block something there's just some other stupid thing there instead. The games are just lame... it's all lame and peeps looking for fame. It's like elementary school all over again lol.
JAzZ!! :-D said 3:45PM on 11-27-2009
right on, Hellen. :P ugh and i agree, i wish facebook would see this.
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gr8bsn said 3:45PM on 11-27-2009
Most of these things can be fixed by going into your security settings and adjusting them. Quit being such technophobes people! It's 2009! The technophobes are the reason that FB ends up sucking!
The one thing that even security settings can't seem to fix are the friend suggestions. Typically, they are helpful, but from time to time, they are awkward. The worst was when FB decided to go through my email contacts without permission and suggest people to me who I am intentionally avoiding contact with. This includes the half of the family that I am not on speaking terms with, as well as a couple of ex girlfriends. FB did this without my permission and I was not happy about this. Eventually, they disappeared but it definitely made things tense for me for a while.
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gr8bsn said 3:54PM on 11-27-2009
I agree with the earlier poster about AOL! Let's see here:
1. Spammers everywhere. Yes, I am sure that you make four million dollars a second working from home. If you really made that kind of jack, I highly doubt you'd be sharing it with the world. Also, seriously... all the sugar daddy and other fake messed up dating sites.
2. Captcha. It doesn't do anything to keep the spammers off and 99% of the time, the stupid AOL server says I typed it wrong, even when I got it right.
3. Inconsistent login protocols for message boards. Some of thse stories don't use your regular username or password.
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pamylla said 3:55PM on 11-27-2009
Whatever. Facebook has a lot of apps that are annoying, but AOL is annoying as well with its celebrity "news" and drama-queen headlines.
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Chris said 4:02PM on 11-27-2009
I tried Facebook to see what all the fuss was about and in about a week I realized it is a complete waste of time. Socially retarded people posting trivial and inane crap about themselves.
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Raejean French said 4:26PM on 11-27-2009
Facebook sucks and these ten are only the tip of the iceberg. I hate it almost as much as I hate Twitter. Not a technophobe and still no clue what everyone sees in them. Must be like passing notes in class or talking on the Beep-beep line. Fellow Boomers will understand.
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Manic_Germanic said 4:27PM on 11-27-2009
Chris, I did the same thing. It was a LAME experience!
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sumamaesgrande said 4:41PM on 11-27-2009
you fail to realize that you just replied to a spam comment about insurance... it was posted most likely by a computer ....
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