Meta has announced that it will discontinue the Facebook News section in April, affecting users in the United States and Australia, CNBC reports.
This decision is part of Meta’s efforts to focus resources on content that users value most, particularly short-form videos. The company cited an 80% drop in Facebook News usage in the US and Australia as a factor in this decision. This move follows similar actions taken in the UK, France, and Germany.
Despite the removal of the dedicated news section, users can still access news links on the core Facebook app. Meta will maintain existing agreements with publishers in some countries but will not enter into new commercial deals for traditional news content.
This decision reflects Meta’s shift away from news distribution, with a focus on products like Reels and advertising. The decline in Facebook’s referral traffic has impacted publishers, with some experiencing significant drops in audience reach.
