5 Design Missteps of Facebook’s New Scheduling Feature

A recent Facebook update lets page administrators schedule posts in advance, similar to the scheduling functions of HootSuite and other third-party apps.

However, users quickly noticed flaws in the user interface — that is, if they could even find the feature at all.

Check out the gallery below, where we pinpoint and troubleshoot these faults.

What do you think about the feature’s flaws? Will you still use it, or will you stick with third-party apps? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

View As Slideshow » 1. A Good Scheduling Feature Is Hard to Find

If you're waiting for the scheduling feature to roll out to your page, look a little bit closer -- you already have it.

Go to your page and begin to write a post. In the bottom-left corner, you should see a small clock (yeah, it's tough to notice). Click on it and set the time to the future, and the button that says "Post" will change to "Schedule."

2. Find the Future in the Past

Albert Einstein said that the distinction between the past and future is "only a stubbornly persistent illusion." Who knew he was predicting Facebook's scheduling feature?

In order to schedule a post, you have to date it the same way you would date a milestone, only in the future. These two features aren't separate, which is another reason why you might not realize you can schedule posts on your page in the first place.

3. Ten Is the Loneliest Number

Rather than offering a simple calendar and timing function, Facebook only allows you to schedule posts in 10-minute increments. More than that, you must schedule an update at least 10 minutes in advance.

Once you schedule a post, you can't modify or edit the content, only the time. Many users have complained that you can't see what you've scheduled or cancel any posts, but you can do these things in the Activity Log (see next slide).

5. Activity Log: "IZ IN UR TOOLBAR, HIDING MOAR FEECHURS"

When you schedule a post, a window pops up that allows you to view your Activity Log, which is essentially a list of all activity on your page. Scheduled posts show up at the top of the log.

However, if you want to look at scheduled posts later, it's difficult to find the Activity Log. At the top of your page, click the "Manage" drop-down menu and choose "Activity Log." A small arrow will appear and disappear when you hover over each post, which you need to click if you want to cancel the post or modify its time.

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