Facebook often gets a bad rap for being cluttered or overly focused on socializing. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover several features that can genuinely improve your day-to-day life. Here are some of them…
1Fundraiser
One of Facebook’s hidden gems is its Fundraiser feature. It’s a powerful tool for anyone looking toraise money for causesclose to their heart, whether it’s a personal emergency, a community project, or a global charity.
Setting up a fundraiser is simple—you can create one on the app or website and get your friends and family to donate. I’ve seen fundraisers for everything from disease awareness to animal rescues, and it’s incredible to witness the support people can rally around a cause.
What’s even better is that Facebook doesn’t take any fees for donations made to most nonprofit organizations. This means that a greater percentage of the donations go directly to the cause, allowing you to make a real impact.
For those who enjoy gaming, Facebook Gaming is an underrated gem. It lets you play various games, from casual puzzlers to more competitive titles, all without having to download separate apps for each new game.
I love that I can check out several games right in the Facebook app, which helps keep my phone’s app gallery lean. Plus, the games are integrated with your profile, so it’s easy to share achievements or invite friends to join in the fun.
3Local Business Pages
If you’re a fan of supporting local businesses, then Facebook’s local business pages are an essential feature. These pages give businesses a dedicated space to share information, promotions, and updates. I regularly follow a few local farmers' markets and co-working spaces to stay updated on any seasonal produce or exclusive offers they’re running.
you’re able to leave reviews, see what events they’re hosting, or find their hours of operation, and any special promotions. This feature helps you support local businesses while staying updated on what’s happening in your area.
4The Save Feature
Ever scrolled past something interesting but couldn’t find it later? That’s where Facebook’s Save feature shines. Think of it as a personal bookmark system within Facebook.
You can save posts, marketplace items, or even videos for later. I find it especially useful for saving articles—long posts on Facebook that I can’t read immediately, but I’d love to return to. You can even organize saved items into collections, making it easy to refer to them later.
5Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is like having a virtual yard sale at your fingertips. You can buy, sell, or trade almost anything locally, all without needing a separate app. I’ve found some great deals on Marketplace, especially when it comes to second-hand gadgets, and it’s incredibly convenient to browse items being offered by people nearby.
One standout feature is how easy it is to communicate with buyers or sellers through Messenger. Facebook even has a trust system where you can view profiles, which provides a little extra peace of mind when meeting someone new for a transaction. And if you’re unsure about thesafety of buying through Marketplace, there are plenty of tips onhow to stay safe while shopping on Facebook Marketplace.
6Safety Check
One of Facebook’s lesser-known yet impactful features is Safety Check. This feature becomes active during emergencies or natural disasters, allowing people in affected areas to confirm their safety with just a few clicks. When a crisis happens, Facebook prompts users in that location to check in as safe, which then notifies their friends and family.
I’ve actually used it once or twice myself, and it was reassuring to know that my friends and family could quickly see that I was safe. During crises, it’s a huge relief for everyone involved—no need for dozens of texts or calls.
It’s easy to feel like Facebook is just a platform for scrolling through updates and posts, but there’s a lot more under the surface that can enhance how you use it. Instead of juggling multiple apps for tasks like fundraising, following local businesses, or even checking in on loved ones during emergencies, Facebook pulls it all together in one place.
