Facebook launched new features. Here are the best ones for indie hackers.

Facebook just announced a suite of new features, including tailored content tabs, SMS event invitations, and a matchmaking function at "Facebook IRL," a pop-up event in Austin, Texas.

Head of Facebook Tom Alison suggested the updates would attract younger users to the platform, which turns 20 this year. Facebook wants its new tools to appeal to a sense of real-life connection and offer a better video experience for content-hungry Gen Z.

But should you care as an indie hacker?

Yep, we think so. We combed through all the new features and found several that make it easier to use Facebook to market your brand, host discussions, and find like-minded communities.

Messenger communities

Users will soon be able to create Communities in Facebook Messenger that can host a number of chats within a single group setting.

A little like the "topics" function in Telegram groups or different chats on a Discord server, Communities should make it easier for admins to keep track of discussions.

They will group all topics of conversation in a single Community directory, so groups don't have to set up multiple group chats. It will offer a more streamlined structure for groups involving a lot of users and make it easier for admins to start new topics of discussion.

It's designed for small-to-medium sized communities. So far, college groups have tested the feature, creating dedicated chats for things like class scheduling and student clubs.

AI to take pressure off group admins

Facebook is developing a customizable Group AI chat function to make running groups less time-consuming. Group members will be able to ask questions of an AI assistant instead of having to bug an admin.

The AI should remember the answers to commonly-asked questions, providing information linked to the posts in a group.

It's at a relatively early stage of testing and is currently only in use in a few US and Canada-based groups.

More AI-powered content

Still a relatively small part of the Facebook offering, the platform is starting to offer ways for users to generate and share content.

You can now, for example, post AI-generated versions of yourself to your Feed and Stories using Meta AI's "Imagine Yourself" feature.

This builds on Facebook's existing AI content summaries function, which sums up new conversations and posts on public Groups and Pages.

Enhanced content monetization

Although it was announced before the event, a new content monetization platform could expand the way creators who earn an income through Facebook.

The company is rolling its three existing creator income options — In-stream ads, Ads on Reels, and a Performance bonus — into one streamlined program.

The company says creators will be able to make money from a wider range of content forms, including photos and text posts.

Off-platform event invitations

Facebook has also launched SMS, Instagram and email invitations for user events, meaning friends will hear about them, even if they don't use the platform themselves.

The update will also make it easier for organizers of wider community events to connect with people who don't use Facebook.

A good move for creators

The new features should be a big help to indie hackers who use Facebook's messaging and group platforms to talk about their brands and facilitate group discussions.

Marketing consultant Lia Haberman, who attended the event, summed it up as follows on X:

“Creators + brands focused on infotainment, advice-based content, community pages and IRL events stand to benefit from Facebook’s emphasis on being a combination of Meetup meets Yelp meets Craigslist meets how-to guides meets your contacts list.”