Meta Reimagines Facebook’s Poke Feature to Gamify Gen Z Flirting

When was the last time you were poked on Facebook?

The feature has endured since the early days of the social media platform. Originally intended as a way to reach out to other users without sending a message or any meaningful content, it’s been the focus of soft relaunches in 2017 and 2024. 

Now, Meta is pushing it again as a way to maintain connections with friends, or maybe even flirt. As interest seems to be rising among younger Facebook users, poking is clinging to life and could become a thing…