Timeline is here to stay

Over the past five years, Facebook has completely altered how we interact with other people, brands and even inanimate objects. Interpersonal communication has heavily shifted to wall posts, likes and the uploading of pictures. Of course, each of these communication methods evoke emotional responses, but instead of laughing out loud at a joke, we may choose to type out our enjoyment of a witty comment. Then, just as consumers and businesses alike got used to integrating Facebook into everyday life, Timeline was introduced.

Timeline is the latest design change created by the developers at Facebook. The update completely changes the structure of the well-known social media outlet by making information more interactive. There are a variety of structural changes that can benefit businesses in particular.

Timeline further humanizes the Facebook experience. It summarizes a business' existence and professional connections. In an age where brand transparency is of the utmost importance, the latest Facebook updates allow corporations to tell a more authentic and believable story. Consumers would be able to scroll all the way back to the first online posts of a brand and watch the way it has progressed over time.

Businesses that want to take advantage of the latest updates may need to find more professionals to fill social media marketing jobs, as a lot more can be revealed through the latest updates. For all the good that Timeline offers, it has its flaws. Businesses will need to carefully monitor their Timeline, since almost every online activity will be recorded to the page.

Furthermore, the update comes with a new interactive tool called the Activity Log, which enables businesses to promote the posts they want their visitors to see above all else. While people could easily scroll past it, the Activity Log is a great way to keep relevant news on the forefront of a Facebook brand profile.

Timeline also allows businesses to use more visual aids in their online activities. Timeline lets users upload unique heading images that appear on top of all of the collected information. In today's age, many people are visual learners. In past versions, the only images were the profile pictures and the few that were posted to any given wall. Now, there will be a big aid that personally greets each visitor once they arrive on the profile.

Moving forward, Timeline by Facebook has an even greater likelihood of revolutionizing online engagement in 2012. It seems, Facebook has changed everything all over again.

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