Whether a reaction to Google + or a planned system improvement, Facebook has added a new local of privacy that is rolling out starting today. Many of the changes revolve around the way content is shared.
Profile Controls
First change is you greater control to the visibility of your profile. With each section of your profile such as music, movies, religious preferences or political views, you’re able to choose who can see each of those areas. The changes are made directly on the profile editing page where previously the changes were made in the account settings.
An in-line cue or icon will provide a visual indication of who can see each element. Choices are to make the content public, only seen by friends, are customized for a friend list. A “view profile as” feature has been added so you can see how your profile will look in different situations.
Tagging
Tagging individuals in photos, status updates or location tags is a popular practice. Currently, individual control is either limited or unavailable. With the new settings you can approve or reject any tag before they appear in your profile. This includes photos and status updates. This can be turned on or off the pending on user preference.
Given the new tagging controls, Facebook now allows the user to tag anyone in a photo regardless of whether they are a friend or not. Of course the tag will have to be approved unless you set your privacy controls to always allow tags. The dilemma with always allowing tags means you do not have control over your image. As a business professional, protecting the image we portray should be vitally important.
Some of the other features you will see are changes to Facebook places and a “Nearby” icon in mobile apps for tagging locations.
The privacy and safety groups are hailing the changes is positive actions. For business owners it will require some adjustment to the way they interact with other people. But with everything Facebook, standby. About time you master this something else will change.
Gary Wagnon is the CMN (Chief Marketing Ninja) at 800biz Online Marketing Solutions. Using an integrated approach to online marketing (combining web site design, search engine optimization, social media and action driven content), 800biz specializes in helping businesses stand out above the competition and drive more traffic to their door.