Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Sure, Facebook can be a lot of fun. It's a great way to reconnect with lost friends and to keep up with people on the fringes of your social circle. And as far as workday distractions go, there's nothing better.
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Never-ending game invitations
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: No 'Dislike' button
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
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.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Obvious celebrity marketing ploys
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?
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Comments
61
Subscribe to commentsKrazyCalvinNov 30th 2010 1:46AM
Wait, this trick again. this is a repeat.
chrisDec 1st 2010 2:46PM
@KrazyCalvin
TimNov 30th 2010 8:16AM
OMG! They are just now finding this out? Wow! You guys are fast! You should get an award for being the fastest humans on Earth!!! Goodness, I don't think there is an award for that. I will have to make one real quick. But it won't be as quick as the people that found this fantastic information on this horrible scam!!!
guestNov 30th 2010 9:25AM
yah, really old story alas
Jan RiggsNov 30th 2010 9:29AM
Number 8 is really good to know! Thank you!
CINDINov 30th 2010 9:54AM
THEY SHOULD DO AWAY WITH FACEBOOK ALL TOGEATHER, I USE TO LOVE FACEBOOK, BUT NOW, IT JUST A BUNCH OF KID'S ON THERE FN THIS & FN THAT, TALKING ABOUT HAVING SEX, DOING DRUGS, STEALING, GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH THE COPS, FIGHTS AND SWEARING LIKE DRUNKEN SAILOR'S,TALKING ABOUT KILLING THEMSELFS, THE KIDS HAVE RUNED THE SITE, GET RID OF THIS SITE PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE LAW SUITS AGAINST FACE BOOK. AND WHY IS IT IF YOUR TALKING TO 1 PERSON EVERY ONE ON FACE BOOK AND THEIR BROTHER CAN SEE AND READ AND REPLY, IF I WANNA WRITE SOMETHING TO SOMEONE I DON'T WANT ANY ONE ELCE ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS, I KNOW THEY HAVE A MESSAGE BUTTON BUT SOME TIMES PEOPLE FORGET TO HIT IT ,GET RID OF THIS SITE,
jenn210830aol.comNov 30th 2010 10:40AM
@(Unverified) yeah, i dont think anybody would miss you on facebook anyway.
jsisco_24Dec 1st 2010 11:38AM
@(Unverified) Wow! Learn how to spell!! If you don't like it, don't use it!
Everyone has a choice, and it seems that these 'kids' that you're talking about are choosing to use and enjoy facebook's capabilities. Runed? Elce? Really???? Are you in like 2nd grade or something?!?!
jennygerms21Nov 30th 2010 10:04PM
@(Unverified) Umm. a couple of things. First off, if you don't like the kids on facebook, don't friend them. If you find them so annoying, maybe you ought to think about who your friends are. Secondly, as for the wall post, if you want to send something privately you just send a message, don't post it on their wall. Then (in theory anyway) no one but that person will read it. Thirdly, just because you don't like facebook doesn't mean it should be done away with. I've connected with with a lot of really old friends on it. It's also a quicker and more convienent way to keep in regular touch with family and friends that don't live near by. If you don't like it, don't use it. It's really as simple as that. And if you want to use it, just be really cautious about what you post. That's just common sense.
talkinturtlesDec 1st 2010 3:02PM
don't complain that the friends on there are annoying. you are the one that is friends with them. i don't have any problems along those lines. maybe it's your friends you should dump, not facebook.
ASHLEYYN1523Dec 1st 2010 3:24PM
@(Unverified) umm no not realy i have facebook and so do all my friends. an that stuff u just said hardly ever happend soo.... thats a total bias opion.... aN STEROTYPICAL
GuyDec 1st 2010 3:41PM
It all depends on who is on YOUR friends list.
martypdjiDec 1st 2010 3:42PM
@(Unverified)
a bunch of kids saying f'this and f'that..............sounds like Myspace.
wendyinsparksDec 1st 2010 4:01PM
@(Unverified) Your comments show your own lack of integrity choosing your friends if you allow those people to even become your friends or if you continue to allow them to be your friends. When I find someone that I find their postings negative or too political, whatever, I just remove them from my friend list. Problem solved! Suggestion - you may want to get a better class of friends! I've found friendships from elementary school, relatives, some former teachers I adored, and am able to stay in touch with just a few sentences with people I love and have in many cases lost touch with before FB. I for one am very grateful for the ability to reach out so easily.
nina brandtDec 1st 2010 4:06PM
@(Unverified) You need go get new FB friends..
LAURA TOBLERDec 1st 2010 5:39PM
@(Unverified) If YOU don't like what is being said by these particular people (which I have NEVER seen, don NOT read it! PERIOD. It is really quite simple.
crysteena73Dec 1st 2010 5:48PM
@(Unverified)
I have used facebook for years and don't have kids n this and fn that, nor do I have kids threatening to kill themselves. If you are too stupid to click the private to send messages to one person instead of all your friends maybe you should go back to two tin cans and a bunch of string as your main method of communication with your friends.
tomemccallisterDec 1st 2010 6:54PM
@(Unverified) You should consider using the "spell-check" feature. Your comments may be a little more legitimate sounding.
FBmommaDec 1st 2010 6:11PM
@(Unverified)
Not sure what, specifically, is wrong with you or the people that you were connected to via FB... I do not see any of what you've mentioned. The purpose of a social network is to be able to remain social with the people whom you chose to share the information of your choice. Most of my 'FB friends' are people who I grew up with and people I talk to regularly, I enjoy the capabilities of the network to share pics or stories as it all happens. Wall posts are exactly like they sound... writing on the wall for all to see. It's nice when you want to tell everyone the same thing... or find an answer to something. Maybe (as you suggest) they should kick kids off FaceBook, since you don't seem to understand the concept of social networking. No, wait... MY kids use it to promote their business!!
PaulaDec 1st 2010 6:17PM
@(Unverified) It sounds like you don't belong on Facebook in the first place. Either that, or you seriously need to reconsider who your "friends" are.