Meta revives the Facebook “Poke” — what’s new?
Meta has quietly brought back the old Facebook “poke” feature, making it easier to find on user profiles and centralizing poke activity at facebook.com/pokes. The relaunch includes gamified elements such as emoji “streaks” that change based on how many pokes have been exchanged — a mechanic clearly aimed at younger users who value features like Snap streaks.
What changed
- Pokes are now surfaced again in the Facebook app on profiles and via search, increasing visibility.
- A dedicated poke page (facebook.com/pokes) lets users track pokes, dismiss them, and see poke counts with friends.
- Emoji “streaks” and badges appear next to friends as poke activity increases, gamifying the interaction.
Why it matters
Once a novelty (and sometimes seen as creepy or flirty), poking never fully disappeared but was de-emphasized over time. Meta appears to be leaning into nostalgia to boost engagement and attract younger users by reviving “OG” Facebook features and layering them with modern social mechanics.
Want to try it?
Check your friends’ profiles in the Facebook app or visit facebook.com/pokes. Would you poke a friend — harmless fun or cringe? Share your take in the comments below.