6 Facebook Features You Aren’t Using But Should Be

Facebook often gets a bad rap for being overcrowded or too focused on socializing. However, if you dig a little deeper, you will discover several features that can really improve your daily life. Here are some of them…

1 Fundraiser

One of Facebook’s hidden gems is its Fundraiser feature. It’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to raise money for a cause close to their heart, whether it’s a personal emergency, a community project or a global charity.

Setting up a fundraiser is easy – you can create it in the app or on the website and get your friends and family to donate. I’ve seen fundraisers for everything from disease awareness to animal rescue, and it’s incredible to witness the support people can rally around a cause.

Even better, Facebook doesn’t charge any fees for donations made to most nonprofits. This means a greater percentage of donations go directly to the cause, allowing you to make a real impact.

2 Playing

For those who love to play, Facebook Gaming is an underrated gem. It allows you to play a variety of games, from casual puzzles to more competitive titles, all without having to download separate apps for each new game.

I love that I can try out a few games right in the Facebook app, which helps keep my phone’s app gallery slim. Plus, games are integrated with your profile, making it easy to share achievements or invite friends to join in the fun.

3 Local business sites

If you’re a fan of supporting local businesses, then local business Facebook pages are an essential feature. These pages provide a dedicated space for businesses to share information, promotions and updates. I regularly follow a few local farmers markets and co-working spaces to stay up to date on seasonal produce or exclusive offers they have.

You can leave reviews, find out what events they are having or find their opening hours and any specials. This feature helps you support local businesses while staying up-to-date on what’s happening in your area.

4 Save function

Have you ever walked past something interesting but couldn’t find it later? This is where Facebook’s Save feature shines. Think of it as a personal bookmarking system within Facebook.

You can save posts, marketplace items, or even videos for later. I find it especially useful for saving articles — long Facebook posts that I can’t read right away but would like to return to. You can even organize your saved items into collections for easy reference later.

5 Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is like having a virtual sale at your fingertips. You can buy, sell or trade almost anything locally, all without the need for a separate app. I’ve found some great deals on Marketplace, especially when it comes to second-hand items, and it’s incredibly convenient to browse items offered by people nearby.

One standout feature is how easy it is to communicate with buyers or sellers through Messenger. Facebook even has a trust system where you can view profiles, which provides a little extra peace of mind when meeting someone new for a transaction. And if you’re not sure about the safety of buying through Marketplace, there are plenty of tips to stay safe when shopping on Facebook Marketplace.

6 Security check

One of the lesser-known but impressive features of Facebook is the safety check. Activated during emergencies or natural disasters, this feature allows people in affected areas to confirm their safety with just a few clicks. When a crisis occurs, Facebook prompts users in that location to sign in as safe, which then notifies their friends and family.

I actually used it once or twice myself and it was comforting to know that my friends and family were quick to see that I was safe. During crises, this is a huge relief for everyone involved – no need for dozens of texts or calls.

It’s easy to feel like Facebook is just a platform for browsing updates and posts, but there’s a lot more under the surface that can improve the way you use it. Instead of juggling multiple apps for tasks like fundraising, tracking local businesses, or even checking on loved ones during emergencies, Facebook brings everything together in one place.