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Facebook uses pokes to adjust their algorithms. Thus, the more you poke your friend, the more news you get on your friend. So my question for you is "Do you poke?"

forbes.com/2009/10/26/twitter-facebook-costs-markets-faces-guidelines.html?partner=faces_newsletter

These pokes actually have a financial cost involved. Interesting.

Edited by canadafred because: hyperlink removed, sorry, my mistake, back to business oops. hey, anybody remeber that command from AutoCad post microstation
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Dani AI

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This conversation started with asking whether a poke changes what you see, and asking for proof. The platform has changed a lot since 2009, so here is a concise, practical update that reflects how to reliably surface someone’s posts today.

Facebook’s ranking now relies on many signals and explicit user choices rather than single, novelty actions. The dependable ways to increase another person’s visibility in your feed are either explicit controls you set or repeated, meaningful interaction with their content. Lightweight or rarely used features are not a stable “trick” to rely on.

Practical steps to see more from a person or Page:

  • Use the profile/Page controls: open their profile or Page, click or tap “Following,” then choose “See First” (or add to Favorites/Close Friends for people).
  • Turn on notifications from that person/Page via the bell or the Following → Notifications options.
  • Interact in ways the algorithm rewards: comment, react, share, and spend time reading/commenting on posts you want to see more of. Consistency matters more than one-off clicks.
  • For Pages you manage, ask your audience to choose “See First” or to follow notifications if you want guaranteed reach.

Caution: algorithms evolve. Don’t chase ephemeral hacks; build consistent engagement and encourage followers to use explicit settings. This clarifies the original back-and-forth between and and leaves ’s poke joke intact as a reminder that some features are more novelty than strategy.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

Yes.

Member Avatar for jay 11

Facebook uses pokes to adjust their algorithms. Thus, the more you poke your friend, the more news you get on your friend. So my question for you is "Do you poke?"

Really?? Is this true? I had no idea Facebook uses 'pokes' as a way for ranking friends in your news feeds.

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

Yup, Facebook not only uses the pokes but also the amount of emails you send to the "friend" using FB mail system. That is why you may have 300 friends but only see the feed for a selected few.

Member Avatar for jay 11

interesting... i just thought that those people were less involved and/or turned off their news feed notifications. I couldn't find anything on Facebook confirming their use of 'pokes' and emailing as a way of 'ranking' friends for you. Have they confirmed this in the past or is it just known or heavily speculated?

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

If you research BrandHacker last year's event featuring Facebook marketing people - you will find this info. Also, I strongly recommend you to visit the blog - webmetricsguru.com and search for brandhacker and facebook. Marshall, the blogger, chronicled this event and the fact about the pokes on his blog.

Member Avatar for jay 11

Nice - i'll have to check it out and put it to the test ;)

Member Avatar for MktgRob

And here I was thining that FB pokes were the online equivalent of shooting spit balls. And if any one asks what a spit ball is and make me feel old I will hunt you down and shoot one at you! LOL

Member Avatar for InsightsDigital

Oh that's a good one Marketing Rob. A good spit ball can poke you on the eye! ouch. :-)

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