In May, Facebook had announced a new feature dubbed Instant Articles which imported content from a specific set of publishers directly into a user’s News Feed. The main objective of this service was to bring content directly to users right in the app, increase exposure and decrease the time required to gain information about the world around them.
Today Facebook is announcing, that Instant Articles will be publicly available to all iOS users. The social giant boasts that “thousands of new articles” will be available daily to users right from within their Facebook app instantly.
At the time of unveiling of the service, Facebook Product Manager Michael Reckhow wrote:
Along with a faster experience, Instant Articles introduces a suite of interactive features that allow publishers to bring their stories to life in news ways.
Current publishing partners that are taking part in Facebook’s newest service are The New York Times, National Geographic, NBC News, The Atlantic, The Guardian, MTV, BBC News, The Washington Post and a handful of others. Other renowned publishers like Brit + Co., CNET, Refinery 29, CBS News, Entertainment Weekly, NBA, Rolling Stone, MLB, Good Housekeeping etc are expected to join the service soon.
iOS users will now see a lightning bolt sign on specific pieces of content which will denote that the information is an Instant Article. Facebook says that Android users will get the service later this year and it can be expected soon enough as the feature is already in public beta.
