Missing your crush? Poke them on Facebook to remind them of you, the feature is coming in a new avatar

Facebook Revives Classic ‘Poke’ Feature in a New Avatar: Now Track How Many Times You’ve Been Poked

September 6, 2025 – Facebook is bringing back one of its most nostalgic features from the early 2010s — the “Poke” button. The social media giant, owned by Meta, has officially announced that users will soon be able to poke their friends and even keep track of how many times they have poked or been poked.

Back in the early days of Facebook, the Poke feature became a quirky way for users to grab someone’s attention, especially their friends or crushes. It was widely used during the 2010s before slowly fading into the background as other interactive features gained prominence. Now, after more than a decade, the Poke button is returning with a fresh twist.

What’s New in the Revamped Poke Feature?

According to Meta’s recent update, the new Poke feature will be directly visible on user profiles through a dedicated button. When a user pokes someone, the recipient will receive a notification alert. Additionally, Facebook has added a tracking element — users will be able to see how many times they have poked someone and how many times they’ve been poked in return.

There’s also a dedicated page, facebook.com/pokes, where users can find friends to poke and monitor their personal “poke count.” This makes the feature more engaging and gamified, in a way similar to Snapchat streaks or TikTok interactions, which keep users active on the platform.

A Feature That Never Fully Disappeared

While many users believed that Facebook had discontinued pokes years ago, the company clarified that the feature was never fully removed. Instead, it became less visible as newer features like reactions, stories, and reels took center stage.

Interestingly, Meta revealed that younger users have recently started using pokes again, which inspired the platform to give the feature a fresh spotlight. According to the company, pokes remain a “classic way to virtually nudge someone and remind them you’re around.”

Concerns Over Addictive Features

Though the return of pokes has generated excitement, critics have raised concerns that such interactive features can become addictive. Similar to Snapchat streaks, the ability to track pokes may encourage users, especially children and teenagers, to spend more time on the app. Some experts warn that gamifying social interactions in this way can lead to dependency on digital validation.

Meta has acknowledged such feedback but maintains that the Poke feature is meant to be a lighthearted and fun interaction tool rather than a core communication feature.

Not the First Attempt at Revival

This isn’t the first time Facebook has tried to revive pokes. Back in March 2024, the company made it easier to find the poking page through search, and even simplified the process of poking a friend directly from the search results. That small update led to a 13x increase in poke usage, proving that the feature still holds nostalgic charm among users.

The latest relaunch aims to build on that momentum, making pokes more visible and interactive while maintaining their playful essence.

Why It Matters

In an era dominated by Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, Facebook is attempting to re-engage users by reviving its classic features. By modernizing pokes with tracking and easy accessibility, Meta hopes to create a sense of nostalgia while also appealing to younger audiences who enjoy gamified interactions.

Whether it’s to reconnect with old friends, grab a crush’s attention, or simply relive the early days of Facebook, the new Poke feature is designed to bring back a bit of the platform’s old-school fun.