I Dislike Facebook, but Here’s Why I Keep Using It

Things have changed since Facebook’s heyday and, as a result, it’s no longer my go-to social media platform. That said, while many of my friends have bid goodbye to Facebook and deleted their accounts, I’ve continued using the platform. Here’s why.

1 Facebook Marketplace Has Some Great Deals

Facebook Marketplace is a game-changer if you’re looking to snag good deals or even sell second-hand items online. In fact, I recently moved homes, and I found plenty of well-priced items on Marketplace.

And because the sellers had public profiles, I was able to verify that they were actual people and not AI bots (if the conversation feels off, I always recommend checking for signs that you might be talking to an AI chatbot).

For this reason, Facebook Marketplace is also safer than other similar platforms like Craigslist, where you can never be sure who you are dealing with. I’ve also had a pleasant experience on the platform as a seller, but again, make sure to exercise caution and common sense when using it.

2 It Keeps Me Connected With Family

When Facebook started becoming popular, everyone (and I mean everyone!) seemed to jump on the bandwagon. At its peak, I had friends, family, and more distant relatives on my friend list, sharing their updates and commenting on my posts and photos.

Over time, many of my friends have moved on to other platforms or stopped using social media entirely, but I find that several of my older relatives are still on Facebook and I enjoy staying connected with them. So, while Facebook doesn’t appeal to me as it did when I was younger, it has helped me stay in touch with out-of-state relatives.

Of course, if you only use Facebook to chat with people on Messenger, you technically don’t need to keep your account active, given that you can use Messenger without an active Facebook account.

3 It Helps Me Join Groups Aligned With My Interests and Hobbies

Another thing I like about Facebook is the ability to join Groups that let me connect with like-minded people. From groups dedicated to hobbies to professional communities that share updates and job postings, I find that joining Facebook Groups is a great way to engage meaningfully with people who might not be in your immediate circle.

If you haven’t explored this aspect of Facebook yet, there are plenty of ways to discover new Groups on the platform. If you find a few that you can actively be a part of, I recommend pinning them to the top of your Groups page for quick access.

4 I Can Check Out Local Events

If you’re tired of visiting the same few places and want to explore something new, I can’t recommend Facebook’s Events feature enough. I’m guilty of not using this as often as I’d like to, but it’s a great way to discover art shows, pop-up markets, and food fests in your area.

If you’re interested in a specific activity, you can even search for it and filter by location, dates, and other categories, making it easy to find something that’s right up your alley.

5 Facebook Memories Lets Me Revisit Shared Moments With Friends and Family

I really enjoy Facebook Memories’ “On This Day” feature, which lets me look back on moments I shared with friends and family from previous years. This feature essentially brings up old photos, posts, and even comments that happened on a particular day, helping you revisit occasions and events.

You can customize your Facebook Memories settings, of course, so you only receive select notifications. There are plenty of other ways to effectively use the “On This Day” feature, so be sure to explore it the next time you’re on Facebook.

While Facebook is not the same platform as when I enjoyed using it most, these features keep me coming back to the site.