Facebook Single Column Timeline Design Rolls Out
As reported by TheNextWeb, among others, back on October 31st, 2012, Facebook began testing a new Timeline layout with a single column of posts.
And now, the new design just rolled out on my personal profile. Awesome!! No more eyeball ping-pong bouncing back and forth to read content. Presumably, Facebook is still conducting tests on certain profiles. But, my guess is this new format is imminent for many more users. I doubt it’ll take as long to switch from the old layout to the Timeline layout as that was a major overhaul. (Read comments on this new layout on my Facebook post here).
I’ve marked up a screenshot below with an overview of all the most prominent changes. If you know of any additional ones, please do share in the comments below! To view the image full size, just click on it.
Organize and hide profile sections
I rather like that you can now organize various sections of your profile as you wish. That is, except for About, Friends and Photos – they have to stay in place in that order. I was surprised to see many sections resurrected that I’d long forgotten about… like Books and Notes. Fortunately, it’s easy to hide sections that you don’t want displayed.
Tweak your cover image
It’s possible many lovely custom designed cover images will need to be altered slightly now given a) your name is now in white OVER the cover image, and b) your profile picture sits slightly lower. The overall dimensions of the cover image remain the same: 851px wide by 315px tall. However, the cut out for the profile photo is now 17px from the left edge and 64px from the bottom. (Previously, it was 23px from the left and 104px from the bottom; fan pages remain as those dimensions… for now!).
Followers
As reported by Mashable, among others, on December 5th, Facebook announced that it would be changing the label of “Subscribers” to “Followers.” Just makes more sense, really. A Follower can see your personal profile posts in their news feed that you publish to PUBLIC. (FYI, anyone can see any public content on your profile anyway. Following someone just means you’re more likely to see their posts in your news feed). Basically the same as a fan (Like) on your fan page. Except, ahem, it’s not 100% of your Followers or Fans (or Friends) who see your posts in their news feed. That’s where promoted posts come in. We’ll leave that for another blog post.
Highlights?
I am stumped by the new “Highlight” feature. Previously, starring a post would make it appear “double wide” across both columns. Now, the post just gets a little bookmark flag in the top right corner and nothing else seems to happen. My guess is there is a section coming called Highlights where all your starred posts would appear for quick access. Thoughts?
New single column Facebook Timeline layout – click to enlarge
Fan pages next?
I predict that before long, fan pages (Business Timelines) will also get the new single-column layout.
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Search please!
I don’t know about you, but my most wished-for feature now is a rock solid SEARCH… and not necessarily for Facebook sitewide (though that’ll be nice when it comes), but I’m talking about the ability to search for content on my fan page and others’ fan pages. You know, like a good search feature on every blog on the web?? 😉 Just sayin!
Do you have the new single-column Facebook Timeline layout yet? (Personal profile). Whether you have the new design or not, what are your thoughts on the features (as illustrated in the screenshot above)? Please share below:
yeah I hear ya, the SEARCH will allow us to expand our knwoledge of our market and target with more accuracy and personalization.
Hey Mari, great post! I don’t have this new timeline yet, but I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for always keeping us on top of things!
Hi @lorriratzlaff:disqus – my pleasure. Thanks for stopping by.
What happens when you scroll down and reach the end of the Activity, Friends, Photos, etc. panels in the right column? Blank space? Do the updates widen out to take up the entire width?
Hi @markfrisk:disqus – yup, totally blank space! Hmmm… future room for ads?!
Is Facebook A ‘Newspaper’ (2-Column) …. Or Magazine (Read Across A Page). *Why Doesn’t #FB Split-Test This New Layout … With Marketers? Marketers ‘Split-Test’ Continuously For Best (Longest) Engagement. I Suppose I Must Re-Shoot All My ‘Facebook Timeline’ Videos. ….. After CHRIST-mass Maybe. Rock on. 8)
Good point, Keith!
what ever happend to the rollout of being able to save updates as favorites? I never know what to believe any more so I’ll believe it when I see it.
So happy about the new Timeline layout! I wonder how the business pages would look like if they implement this too. Good thing my cover images will still work with the new layout. Can’t wait to finally see this on my profile.
Mari, I’m not an official friend to you on Facebook, only subscribed, so I don’t see the changes you’re talking about on your profile. Do you suppose it’s only visible to your friends?
I can’t see the changes either. Have you reverted, or is it only visible to some?
Me neither.
I haven’t searched to see how to change it to the new timeline format, although, I’m not that sure that I like it that much better. Lowering the profile pic and shifting About to the right doesn’t seem useful now. This layout will probably just be a matter of getting used to, like the current Timeline.
I believe it was rolled out only on some Facebook profile. And only few can see it, if you don’t have the newer Timeline layout then other friends of yours who has it, and you don’t have it, then you can’t see it.
As my cousin has it, but I cannot see it effective in her profile yet when you are logged on her account you can see it. 🙂
Nope, me either. Either they reverted it, or it is for friends only. Screenshot?
I definitely like the new layout, the two column layout was always a little confusing, so this is a positive change. But I’ve just done all the new images for my ebook and now I’ll have to change em’ all again! Grrr! LOL 🙂
I think a search box on fan pages would be great, and I would love to see the page tabs available on mobiles.
Great post Mari, Thanks for letting us know. I haven’t got the new layout yet, but I hope I get it soon, before I start the vids! 🙂
Yes! Search would be amazing!! SO many times I see something on a FB page and want to go back and find it later. Thanks for the update on the cover. Better get our designers working, just in case it comes to business pages.
Hi Mari,
From what I’ve seen so far, me likey.