Facebook Brings Back Iconic Poke with Modern Features

Meta is reviving one of Facebook’s most nostalgic features: the poke. Once a spammed relic of the platform’s early days, the poke is making a comeback with new features designed to engage both longtime users and a younger audience.

Remastered for the Modern Era

Facebook has added a prominent poke button directly on friend profiles, making it easy for users to send quick, low-effort greetings. A centralized hub at Facebook.com/pokes allows users to see who has poked them, poke back instantly, or dismiss unwanted notifications.

The updated poke feature also incorporates gamified elements inspired by Snapchat and TikTok. Users can now earn streak counters and visual badges, such as fire emojis, when they exchange pokes regularly with a friend. These gamification elements are designed to encourage playful, back-and-forth interactions.

Meta’s Bet on Nostalgia and Gamification

Meta hopes to capture the attention of younger users who may have never experienced the poke during its original run. Currently, users aged 18 to 29 send over half of all pokes, highlighting the feature’s appeal to a new generation.

The company is also aiming to shake off Facebook’s reputation as a platform for older generations. By reviving nostalgic features and adding gamified streaks and badges, Meta is positioning Facebook as a lighter, more spontaneous space for casual interactions, particularly targeting Gen Z, who primarily use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Launched with New Camera, Display, Software Upgrades