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On Tuesday, January 24th - Facebook announced that over the next few weeks, EVERYONE will get the new profile TIMELINE layout.  It’s a little bit of “here we go again” … a lot of people seem very upset about another change to Facebook.  Just remember, a couple of weeks after everyone’s been changed over to the new timeline, we won’t even remember how the old layout looked.

I think Facebook has done a reasonably good job about easing all of us into the new change.  They posted a blog introducing the new layout back in December, including a link to a page that displays and explains how the new timeline will look and work.  Additionally, when Facebook is ready to switch your profile over to TIMELINE (or you choose to switch yourself) you will have seven days to preview (and edit) how your current profile content will display in the Timeline format - before anyone else will be able to view it.

There’s nothing much to panic about, really … the new Timeline is just a re-organization of information on your Facebook profile.  It is Facebook’s way of making it easier for your friends to rediscover things you’ve shared, and also share new experiences as well. 

Timeline only replaces your profile layout.  Your newsfeed isn’t affected with this change.

Timeline will make it easier for people to see your older posts.  With the current profile, if someone wanted to see your past posts, they would have to keep selecting "Older Posts".  Now, all they have to do is click on the year.

I think one of the biggest reasons that many people are worried, is because some of us have made a lot of posts (including photos) to our profiles over the years.  And, what we may have posted to a very small group of people years ago, may be somewhat embarrassing if viewed by all of the people with whom we are connected today.

For example, you may be connected with your boss today … but years ago when you posted compromising photos of that raging frat party, you only had a few college buddies as your friends.  The new Timeline will make it easier for your boss to potentially see those photos.

Prior to switching over to the Timeline format - or being switched over by Facebook, you may want to do a bit of housekeeping on your profile.

Here are some things you can do to make the Timeline transition easier:

• Update your privacy settings
• you can change privacy settings on individual items to control who can see what
• Update the posts. 
• Change the dates on posts
• Make the dates on the photos match when you actually took a trip
• Use the new location feature to add where you were when you posted
• Use the activity log to view all of your old
• Feature some events more prominently
• STAR the events you want to highlight
• Hide or delete posts that you don't want others to see
• Add more life events to Facebook - from before you joined
• Start with your birth!
• Add some cool stuff from high school and college

If you've already updated your profile to the new timeline layout, share a link to your profile in the comments … we'd love to see yours!

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