Ready or not, all Facebook users will be automatically upgraded to the new Timeline profile design.
While Timeline was made available worldwide in December, users had to choose to activate it. Now, Facebook says everyone is getting the new profile and it won't be a question of opting in.
“Over the next few weeks, everyone will get Timeline. When you get Timeline, you'll have seven days to preview what's there now. This gives you a chance to add or hide whatever you want before anyone else sees it,” says Facebook.
Timeline, which was originally unveiled in September last year, at the F8 Developer Conference, is a key element in Facebook's efforts to drive user engagement. A number of changes to the Facebook interface, which cater for the new profile, have already taken effect, including the ticker, top stories and the “subscribe” button.
Last week, Facebook also announced the launch of 60 apps that have been specially designed and optimised for Timeline. These apps tap into Facebook's “Open Graph” and allow for the controversial feature of “frictionless sharing”.
Virtual scrapbook
Timeline essentially takes all of one's content ever uploaded to Facebook and makes it chronologically “scrollable” on one's profile, creating a virtual scrapbook of life.
Since all old posts, photos and activities are resurfaced on Timeline, users are advised to use the seven-day window period to go through the content and screen it before it is made visible.
Privacy settings can be set for individual posts on the Timeline, while users' overarching privacy settings will still be in place. Users not wanting to wait until they are automatically upgraded can get the new profile here.
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