Facebook “Like” Feature

Facebook recently released the "Like" feature. In the past for each item in your needs feed you could select several options via some text links at the bottom of the news item -- "Comment" and "Share". Now, they are adding "Like" to the list.

When you select "Like", your profile news feed will update with "PersonX likes PersonY's link". This feature is a well known feature in FriendFeed and is the general concept behind Digg (except digg counts the votes and has a screen of the most "dug" item).

What Facebook's Like Feature Means

Currently, Facebook is mum about how they will use the feature. But here's an idea straight from Friendfeed and Digg -- your friends are going to become your filter. News items that they like are more likely to appear on your news feed. In short, perhaps news items that all of Facebook likes will become more prominent in your news feed.

Another idea -- based on what you like, Facebook can extract information for its advertising platform. Like that video of dogs doing silly things? Well maybe you would like this ad from PetSmart, you dog-lover you. Like that SNL clip? Well maybe you would like to know about the new Lonely Island album that was just released, starring SNL star Adam Samberg.