Remember Facebook’s old “poke” button? That quirky little nudge you could send without saying a word?
It could mean “hi,” “thinking of you,” or nothing at all. Silly, confusing, and brilliant—pokes were once Facebook’s inside joke.
Now, after years in the background, pokes are back with a twist. Each one adds to your “poke count,” and sticking with it unlocks fun extras—like fire emojis for streaks or a shiny “100” badge at milestones.
There’s even a new poke hub to track who poked you, manage your streaks, and ignore nudges you’d rather not answer.
From throwback to trend
For longtime users, it’s pure nostalgia. For younger ones, it’s a fresh, low-pressure way to say hi without likes, comments, or DMs.
Meta has gamified the feature just enough to feel modern—think Snapchat streaks or TikTok nudges, but with Facebook’s classic simplicity. One tap still says everything and nothing at the same time.
Even Facebook seems to be in on the fun:
“Pokes never really left, but they’re making a comeback in a major way,” the company announced.
Beyond the novelty, this revival is Meta’s attempt to make Facebook lighter, more personal, and less crowded. Amid polished posts and algorithm-driven feeds, a poke feels human, silly, and refreshingly simple.
Sometimes, all it takes to reconnect is a small nudge—and now, it might just be a poke away.
