Hajra Naz
Facebook announced new AI-powered tools on Tuesday designed to help users express themselves in playful, eye-catching ways. The updates include animated profile pictures, photo-restyling tools for Stories and Memories, and the ability to add animated backgrounds to text posts.
Meta seems to be betting that these features will make Facebook more appealing to younger users, especially Gen Z, by offering a more personalized and engaging experience.
Animated Profile Pictures Bring Photos to Life
The new animated profile picture feature adds motion effects to static images. Users can make themselves appear to wave, form a heart shape, or even wear a virtual party hat.
For the best results, Facebook recommends using a clear photo of a single person facing the camera. Images can come from a user’s camera roll or existing photos on the platform. More animation options are expected to roll out throughout the year.
Read More: Facebook tests link-post limits for professional accounts, pages
“Restyle” Transforms Stories and Memories
Facebook is also enhancing Stories and Memories with Restyle, a tool that uses Meta AI to reimagine photos. After uploading a photo to a Story or selecting a Memory, users can tap Restyle to:
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Enter a text prompt
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Choose from preset themes like anime, illustrated, glowy, or ethereal
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Adjust mood, lighting, and colors
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Swap in new backdrops, such as beaches or cityscapes
This lets users give their content a fresh, creative look in just a few taps.
Animated Backgrounds Make Text Posts Pop
To liven up text posts, Facebook is rolling out animated backgrounds. By tapping the rainbow “A” icon, users can pick from still or animated scenes like falling leaves or rolling ocean waves. Seasonal backgrounds are coming soon to keep things fresh.
Facebook’s Strategy to Attract Younger Users
With around 2.1 billion daily active users, Facebook is still a social media powerhouse. But it has struggled to keep younger audiences engaged.
To compete, the platform has leaned into AI and added youthful redesigns. Other updates include:
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A friends-only feed
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Custom display names in Groups, similar to Reddit usernames
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A revived poke feature with a dedicated button and notifications
By combining AI features with fun, personalized tools, Facebook hopes to stay relevant while keeping its vast user base entertained.
