What is the rocket icon in Facebook?
For the past few weeks I’ve been seeing a rocket icon at the top of my Facebook for Android app, and the second I go to write this article it disappears. Typical. (Also see:How to use Facebook Stories.)
There is a reason for that, though. The Facebook rocket icon is for a feature still in testing, and only select users have been able to try it out. So what is it?
Tap the rocket icon and you’ll see a news feed filled with posts from pages you haven’t liked, but with the sort of content Facebook thinks you’ll like based on your previous activity. These pages might be similar to pages you’re already following, or those that are popular with your friends.
The rocket icon has been spotted on devices running both Android and iOS and, although I am, you do not have to be running thebeta version of the appin order to be selected for the trial.
A Facebook spokesperson confirmed the global test in a statement toTechCrunch, saying “We are testing a complementary feed of popular articles, videos, and photos, customized for each person based on content that might be interesting to them. We’ve heard from people that they want an easy way to explore new content they haven’t connected with yet.”
Read next:Best Facebook tips and tricks
Author: Marie Black, Editorial Director, International
Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for almost 20 years, covering all types of consumer tech from smartphones and their accessories to smart home gear. These days she manages our international editorial teams and leads on content strategy, having witnessed first-hand Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
