Relax, Chicken Little, the social media sky is not falling. Despite opinions to the contrary from a number of leading social media professionals, I'm here to tell you that the upcoming changes to Facebook Newsfeed will not mean less organic visibliity for brands in the Newsfeeds of people who like their pages. Here's why.

The changes to Facebook Newsfeed are all about improving both the user experience (i.e. less clutter, larger Newsfeed stories) and the user interface (i.e. navigation moving from the left side of the page to the top right). Beyond that, the only other change being made is that Facebook is giving its users new ways to isolate and view very specific items in their Newsfeeds: photos, music, and games. In fact, the only item absent from the new list is Top Stories, which (powered by the Facebook EdgeRank algorithm) is currently the default view for all Facebook users. My guess is that the Top Stories feed (and EdgeRank) is not going away; it's most likely been absorbed into the Newsfeed view (see image above), the top item in the new list of feeds and the one that will automatically reset every twenty-four hours as users' default Newsfeed view (as it does now).

Facebook users have had long options for isolating and viewing only certain items in their Newsfeed; the new design just makes those options a little easier to find, so most of this isn't really anything that new. And if past performance is any indicator of future behavior, all of the data points to Facebook users not making heavy use of these alternate feeds. Currently, most Facebook users don't consistently switch their feed from Top Stories (EdgeRank) to Most Recent (all posts in reverse chronological order). That's a big reason why the average unique impressions per Facebook post by a brand page is typically less than 5% of that page's total likes. It's also why Facebook can make a strong case that brands need to consistently run Marketplace Ads and Promoted Posts; they've engineered their own monopoly.

So despite all of the hype last week, the upcoming changes to the Facebook Newsfeed are mostly cosmetic. Don't expect to see any significant long term shift in user behavior away from branded content.

The EdgeRank algorithm is about the closest thing Facebook has to a cash cow. Don't expect them to do anything that would put that cow out to pasture any time soon.

A new photo app called Photolettering from House Industries allows users to lay text over photos. It's a simple app that provides a number of stylish typefaces.

It's a great little photo app to keep in a Content Manager's back pocket for creating content on the go. One of my favorite features of the app is that text placement is easily controlled with finger gestures. You can also resize and rotate text with gesturing. My only complaints are the limited number of filters in the app and only three of their typefaces are free. The 24 paid typefaces can be purchased for $10 or you can buy them a la carte at $1 a piece. With that said, many of the typefaces are gorgeous and some are so fun they already write captions for themselves that it's probably worth the splurge.

It would make a nice addition to other photo-editing apps such as Camera + or Snapseed.

(Images from House Industries)

Over the years, Facebook has made a number of changes to its interface. The latest update was announced last Thursday, March 7 and pertains to the News Feed, a stream of information that acts as a personalized newspaper. The new version aims to minimize clutter and focus on presenting the most relevant content possible to each user.

The updated News Feed structure is broken into specific topics, making it easier to dig deeper into certain kinds of content. Types of streams include music, games and “following,” where users can find updates from celebrities and brands in addition to their friends. The News Feed update will also standardize content across mobile devices, tablets and desktop screens, allowing for easy browsing at any moment.

The syncing of layouts across devices means that imagery will be equally prominent on desktop screens as well as mobile. According to Facebook, 50% of updates shared on the site contain imagery, showing the importance of this move. Facebook has also admitted that teens are becoming less interested with the platform and are turning to more mobile and visual focused digital environments like Instagram. This update will help to address that trend and retain time spent on the site.

In terms of advertising, Facebook’s updated News Feeds will not affect paid placements, although the change does open opportunities for more dynamic, targeted and relevant units for the categorical feeds. Looking forward, Facebook’s “Paid Profile Personalization” patent shows that users may one day be able to pay a fee to remove promoted content, further proving that the quality of posts will always remain crucial for long-term success. 

While impact of brand engagement and impressions is unknown, it is clear that quality and relevance of content is more important than ever. Users will have increased customization of their Facebook experiences and brands should ensure a personal tone to remain relevant. 

We’ll make sure to share updates as the changes play out. To try out the new Facebook News Feed for yourself, sign up on the waiting list. 

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Tax time is right around the corner. It can often be a jarring time of year as we're forced to examine how we've used our money over the past year. Most of us wouldn't mind a few pointers managing our money, but for some of us the thought of consulting a financial advisor is about as appealing as a trip to the doctor or dentist. Enter LearnVest.

What is LearnVest?

LearnVest is a financial tool that can help you with everything from basic monthly budgeting to debt reduction to financial planning. It helps you analyze both where you are now and where you need to be. In short, it can help you develop and achieve both short-term and long-term financial goals.

How does LearnVest work?

LearnVest.com is where you get started by inputing your financial information and syncing your financial accounts: checking, savings, home equity, school loans, credit cards, etc. LearnVest provides you with a real-time snapshot of your finances.

How does LearnVest differ from Mint and similar financial services?

There are a number of great personal finance apps out there but most of them require you to know what your financial goals are. LearnVest goes beyond just showing you where you are; it helps you figure out what your financial goals should be and what you need to to do achieve them.

How much does LearnVest cost?

LearnVest has several plans to choose from starting at free and ranging up to about $400.

"Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, and a social media expert walk into a bar…"

Sometimes we just need permission to laugh at ourselves. Permission granted.