Facebook has announced that it is dropping the “Trending” news section that sits to the right of the News Feed, reports theverge. Facebook introduced the section in 2014, but it never got on solid footing. It was only available in five countries and generated less than 1.5% of clicks to new publishers. It was also blamed for publishing conspiracy theories following high profile news stories, such as the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, notes MarketWatch. Facebook hasn’t announced what will replace the section but acknowledged that the way users access news is changing and the new content will reflect that. “We’ve seen that the way people consume news on Facebook is changing to be primarily on mobile and increasingly through news video,” it said in a statement.
Facebook has struggled to keep younger users engaged. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that Facebook is no longer the most popular online platform for teens. Three years ago, 71% of teens reported being Facebook users. In 2018, that number dropped to 51%, reports the PRC. Meanwhile, Facebook is testing new products, including a section called “Today In,” that would connect users with local news sites, and a section featuring live coverage. (More Facebook stories.)
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