Key Sentence:
- Facebook rolls out a segment for “experts” for groups.
The social networking platform being tested updates to highlight real experts in discussions giving administrators the ability to assign titles to almost any member. In a blog post, CEO Maria Smith said, “Administrators now can select certain members in their community to stand out and allow them to play a more prominent role.
“Once they take on this role, experts in the group receive a badge next to their name in the group, which makes it easier for group members to find informative contributions and comments from that particular expert.
“Now available to select groups from desktop and mobile devices, administrators can work with group experts to host questions and answers, exchange perspectives on topics and answer questions.”.
Part of the distribution can also allow group administrators to find real experts to invite to the group. In addition, Facebook is introducing a new feature that will enable experts on these issues to stand out in a pool of millions of administrators and moderators worldwide. The social media giant announced on Tuesday a new way to alert experts about topics in Facebook groups. Group administrators can identify knowledgeable members in their group by calling them “group experts.”
“[A]dmin can work with group experts to host Q&A, share perspectives on a topic, and answer questions,” he added. Group admins can invite any member to receive an expert badge, but that member can accept or decline an expert invitation. If they get the role, group experts will receive a badge next to their name in the group, making it easier for group members to find contributions and informative comments from that particular expert.
Facebook has not indicated whether there will be a review process for expert appointments, meaning that any group member can be appointed as an expert on the matter. Without a review process, the new “expert” feature raises concerns about possible abuse by groups to spread misinformation.