Facebook Stickers are now available in chat

Stickers were released a short while ago to Facebook chat but was available only on mobile. Facebook Stickers are now available on Facebook Web Chat as well. What is a Facebook Sticker - Stickers defy the traditional small size of an emoticon and are large and look like they have been pasted there. Since they come in a larger size they have a lot more option for customization and look amazing. They are not yet available in Status Updates and comment replies and we sure hope they come soon. Facebook have been adding quite a lot of little improvements lately like Hashtags and this is the latest free gift from Facebook. Currently all stickers are available for free on Facebook and you can use any of the collections you want.

Facebook Stickers - How do they work
1. When you're chatting with a friend click the emoticon icon.
2. Two Sticker sets are available by default - Meep And Pusheen - clicking on any Sticker will automatically add it to Facebook chat.

How to get more free Facebook Stickers
In the same window click on the basket icon. This will take you to the Facebook Sticker Store, all Facebook Stickers are available for free in the store right now. Click on free to get the set added to your chat window. We choose bun and are pretty happy with the collection.

Sets added on the web are not added on your SmartPhone. So if you added a set while browsing Facebook on the web and then switch to your SmartPhone or tablet. You would need to add the set again.

Facebook Hashtags Privacy Settings

With the release of Hashtags on Facebook. All status updates with the hashtag in them will appear on public searches. A hashtag is the # sign in front of a word or phase - we have already covered in in greater detail here. With this release many Facebook users are again worried about this privacy. Just by adding that symbol in their status updates, posts, pic updates and video updates means it is searchable by anyone on Facebook. many users have already voiced their concern on various forums. It is to address this issue that we have decided to do this post. There is good news here however, only public posts with a hashtag will show up on Facebook searches or when someone click on the hashtag. so when creating a post if you use the privacy options wisely. Your status updates will not appear on searches.

How to set Facebook hashtags privacy settings.
1. Compose your post with the hashtag in it.
2. Click on custom below the search box
3. Choose friends or only me or just a few people you want to share the post with
4. You're done

You posts will now not appear in public searches when you share it. This is a simple workaround and should serve you well.

Please leave a comment with what you think in the comments section below.

Video below if you want the visuals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE4OkjNGKEI

How to use Facebook Hashtags

Facebook has now got what Twitter made popular - Hashtags. With hashtags users can click on them and follow topics as it's happening in real-time. So let's say you see the hashtag #NBAfinals - when you click on it all the news surrounding the NBA Finals will be visible. This could include pics, videos, status updates, page posts and posts from groups. So if there is a hashtag on Facebook and you click on it. You will be able to see all the different things Facebook users are saying about that particular topic. This means you will be able to see status updates from more people and not just your friends and the people you're connected to. This is a popular feature on Twitter - when you click on trending topics on Twitter everything is organized around hashtags. Which makes it easier for you to follow, breaking news stories, trending topics and anything that is going viral on Facebook. The #hashtags we know today was first created by Chris Messina in 2007 on Twitter.

How to create or make a hashtag
You will need to use the number sign # before along with a topic of phrase. Like this #ILoveCoffee. When users click on this everyone's status update on #ILoveCoffee will appear on your news feed in a new window.

How to use a Hashtag
You can either make your own hashtag or click on someone else's hashtag. These are clickable links and appear in the traditional blue color. Adding a hashtag to your post or status update will tell people that this is part of a larger conversation.

Other uses for hashtags on Facebook
You can search for a specific hashtag from your search bar. e.g #NBAFinals.
Click on hashtags that originate on other services, such as Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest
You can also compose posts directly from the hashtag feed and search results.

What about hashtag privacy on Facebook
If you compose a post and share it only with friends or certain people. Facebook will follow your sharing options. Posts you create that are public will only be shown throughout Facebook.

Read more at the Facebook news release. Image by Facebook.