Stop missing updates from friends on Facebook

If you have a lot of friends on your Facebook profile, then you know how crazy it can get when trying to keep up with everyone’s status updates. You may have tried using the Most Recent mode for your timeline, but the posts you want to read get lost in a sea of game updates and location check-ins.

To keep track of the most important updates, you should add people to your Close Friends list. The main reason for using this list provided by Facebook, instead of making your own, is notifications. You can also adjust the types of notifications you receive for people on the list. Ready to get started? Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Facebook list management page, then click on Close Friends.

Step 2: When the list page displays, click the Manage List button and then choose Edit List.

Step 3: In the pop-up window, click the drop-down menu labeled On This List and select Friends. Now you can click on the pictures of friends you want on the list, or search by name. Click Finish.

Step 4:Click the Manage List button, then click Choose Update Types. The menu will load a list of update types; make sure there are checkmarks next to the updates you want to receive. For instance, you may want to remove Game updates — unless you like them.

Now you’ll have no need to scroll through your feed, making sure you didn’t miss updates from the people you are closest to. Additionally, you will get notifications on your smartphone or via email for each update (like you would when someone replies to your posts).

Do you have a helpful Facebook tip? Please share it in the comments below.

Editors’ note, December 9, 2014:This How To post was originally published on May 13, 2014, and has been updated to include new information.