Poke Is Back: Facebook Revives a Classic Feature with a Gamified Twist

According to Meta, the once-familiar poke feature on Facebook is being revived, this time with a gamified twist and new interactive elements, announced on Instagram on 5 September 2025. The updated poke introduces interaction tracking and a mechanic reminiscent of Snapchat’s “streaks,” with different emojis representing the frequency of reciprocal pokes.

For early Facebook users, the poke symbolised a basic form of interaction that preceded posts, likes and stories, and the feature has gradually faded as the platform evolved. Meta began experimenting with reviving the feature last year, noting that its return led to a thirteenfold increase in usage. Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasised a desire to restore more original forms of social interaction on Facebook, including making it easier to see posts from friends and family.