How to Save Time with Facebook HotKeys

Navigating Facebook's many features with hotkeys can dramatically increase your networking efficiency, while also helping you to consume content that you may have otherwise ignored.

2011.3.27 Hotkeys Small

How much time do you spend on Facebook?  The average user is reported to invest 46 minutes every day. While we used to talk about wasting time on Facebook, it has become so central to our daily lives that we are increasingly using it for practical purposes – most notably the new messaging features.

HotKeys Work Differently for Each Browser

To activate the respective hotkeys you first have to use the appropriate function keys for your browser.

Ctrl + Option:  Safari and Chrome on a Mac – OS X

Ctrl + Fn:  Firefox on a Mac – OS X

Alt:  Internet Explorer and Chrome on a PC – Windows

Alt + Shift:  Firefox on a PC – Windows

While holding down these function keys, you then hit the hotkey below for the desired function.  I have underlined those that I believe are valuable for the average user, with a discussion below as to why.

Choose Your Facebook HotKeys 

My suggestion is to jot the hotkeys you expect to use on an index card until your use of them becomes second nature.

?  Facebook Search

m  New Message

1  Home Page

2  Profile Page

3  Friend Requests

4  Recent Messages

5  Notifications

6  Account Settings

7  Privacy Settings

8  Facebook's Official Page

9  Facebook's Terms of Service

0  Facebook Help Center

Right and Left Arrow Keys – Toggle through a series of photos

Esc – Close out of photos

Customize Your Facebook Messaging 

We are increasingly using Facebook to send private messages to our friends – and often for business matters.  Previously you had to search for the friend, click on send message, and then scroll below earlier messages to get to the message box. 

Now the m or New Message hotkey takes you directly to the message box where you start typing your friend's name. Facebook will auto-complete to bring up suggested friends with that first name to choose from.

That's one click vs two clicks and a scroll.

The 4 or Recent Messages key can give you an at-a-glance look at recent conversations to be sure you have concluded your business or personal matters. I envision some value for checking in here because frequently we'll have a new thought that will enhance a previous conversation.

By the way, I've also noticed that the new message box that opens with the hotkey does not have that annoying quick reply feature that instantly sends your message when you hit enter – when you were intending to simply open a new paragraph.

To disable that feature go to a friend's profile and click on new message.  At the bottom will be the words Quick Reply if you have not deactivated this feature.  Un-check the box and the words quick reply will disappear.

Another tip for those of you with teenage children – you can send your Facebook messages as text messages to get a faster response.  For many of us, this is the only way we'll get a response!

2011.3.27 FB text

If you are interested in learning more about Facebook messaging and how it affects your small business and personal communications, this article and video will help.

More Efficient Facebook Photo Viewing

We are a culture that has learned to scan, which may result in missing some text content we should be reading. Nevertheless, scanning works exceptionally well with photos, and you can do it much faster using the navigation arrows instead of your mouse.

Important note:  You do not have to use the function keys – just the arrow keys is sufficient.

When you wish to exit photos, just hit the escape button – again, no need for a function key. This may be the biggest time saver of all, and the easiest to use – taking you back to the previous page without accidentally closing out of Facebook.

Get to Know the Facebook Help Center

One of the most underused sources of Facebook help is the Facebook Help Center, which you access with the 0 hotkey. This resource is especially useful if you are managing a Facebook Page.  Facebook is constantly tinkering with the functionality of pages.  

So, if you notice something that looks odd or has changed, this is the best place to start for finding your answer.

Give these hotkeys a try and let me know what you think.  

Feel free to share this with your friends by clicking on the Facebook Like button.

And please consider subscribing to JeffKorhan.com to learn more ways to profitably grow your small business.

Until tomorrow,  Jeff    

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