Learn how to poke someone on Facebook in 2025 with this complete guide. Discover the feature’s resurgence, step-by-step instructions, and tips for fun interactions!
In one of the most unexpected comebacks of the decade, Facebook’s “poke” feature has returned to the spotlight. What was once a quirky, playful feature in Facebook’s early days is now gaining popularity among younger generations.
Facebook itself has reported a 13x spike in poke usage recently, with over 50% of pokes being sent by users aged 18-29.
So, if you’ve been wondering about this nostalgic feature and how to use it in 2025, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about poking someone on Facebook, from its origins to how you can start poking your friends today.
What is the Facebook Poke Feature?
The Facebook poke feature has been a part of the platform since its inception in 2004. Initially created as a simple, non-verbal interaction between users, the poke feature allows you to “poke” someone by sending them a notification. The feature is a little like sending a playful nudge or greeting but without the need for words.
When you poke someone, they’ll receive a notification, but the poke itself doesn’t include any message or direct interaction beyond the notification. It’s a light-hearted way to get someone’s attention or simply reach out without having to start a full conversation. While the poke feature has experienced periods of dormancy, it has recently made a significant comeback, particularly among younger Facebook users who are rediscovering the charm of this nostalgic tool.
Why Poke Someone on Facebook?
You may wonder why anyone would want to poke someone in 2025, especially with all the other ways to interact on Facebook. The answer lies in its simplicity and nostalgic appeal. Poking is a casual, low-pressure way to interact with someone, which is part of why it’s resonating with younger generations. Here’s why people still use the poke feature:
- Nostalgia: For many, the poke feature evokes fond memories of Facebook’s early days, when it was a novel way to interact with friends. People who grew up with Facebook might see poking as a way to reminisce and bring back a piece of the past.
- Non-verbal Communication: Sometimes, you don’t need to say anything—poking is a way to get someone’s attention without requiring an immediate response. It’s a non-verbal cue, akin to a gentle “hello.”
- Fun and Lighthearted: Poking is playful and doesn’t come with the formality or expectation of a response, making it a fun and easy way to reach out to someone.
- The Return of Simplicity: In a world dominated by complex algorithms, likes, shares, and endless notifications, poking offers a return to a simpler, more personal interaction.
- Engagement: Poking can help spark interactions. A poke can lead to a message, a comment, or even a poke war—especially among friends who enjoy this light-hearted form of communication.
The History of the Poke Feature
The poke feature was one of Facebook’s original features when it launched in 2004. Mark Zuckerberg and his co-founders, all students at Harvard University, introduced the poke as a simple way for users to interact with one another. Initially, the poke was used as a kind of playful interaction to say “hi,” “I see you,” or “I’m thinking of you” without saying much.
Over the years, the poke feature evolved but gradually faded from the spotlight as Facebook introduced other features like comments, likes, and reactions. For a time, the poke button was buried in the platform’s navigation, hidden away from most users. However, after a recent update, Facebook made the feature easier to find and accessible again, leading to its revival in 2024 and 2025.
How to Poke Someone on Facebook in 2025
In 2025, Facebook has made it much easier to access the poke feature. Unlike in the past, when it was somewhat hidden, poking someone on Facebook now involves just a few simple steps.
Poking Someone on Facebook via Desktop
To poke someone on Facebook using a desktop browser, follow these simple steps:
- Go to Your Facebook Feed: Start by logging into your Facebook account from your desktop.
- Search for “Pokes”: In the search bar at the top left of your screen, type in “pokes.” This will bring up the search results, including a page called “Pokes.”
- Select the Pokes Page: Click on the “Pokes” link from the search results to navigate to the Pokes page.
- Search for a Friend: On the Pokes page, you’ll see a search bar at the top. Type in the name of the person you want to poke.
- Click “Poke”: Once you find the person, you’ll see a “Poke” button next to their name. Click it, and you’ll send them a poke notification.
Poking Someone on Facebook via Android App
If you’re using Facebook on an Android device, the steps are slightly different but still simple to follow:
- Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your Android phone.
- Tap the Menu Icon: In the top right corner, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Search for “Pokes”: Use the search bar at the top of the screen and type in “pokes.” From the search results, select the option labeled “Search Pokes on Facebook.”
- Tap the Pokes Option: You’ll be directed to the Pokes page. Here, you can see your recent pokes and friends who are available for poking.
- Search for a Friend: Use the search feature on the Pokes page to find the person you want to poke.
- Tap “Poke”: Next to their name, tap the “Poke” button to send them a poke notification.
Poking Someone on Facebook via iPhone
The process for poking someone on the iPhone app is almost identical to the Android app:
- Launch the Facebook App: Open Facebook on your iPhone.
- Go to the Menu: Tap the Menu icon in the bottom right of the screen.
- Search for “Pokes”: Tap the search icon at the top right, then type in “pokes.” From the search results, tap “Search Pokes on Facebook.”
- Tap Pokes: You’ll be taken to the Pokes page, where you can find all your pokes.
- Search for the Friend: Use the search bar to find the friend you want to poke.
- Tap “Poke”: When you find the person, tap the “Poke” button next to their name.
What Happens After You Poke Someone?
Once you’ve poked someone, they’ll receive a notification letting them know that they’ve been poked. They don’t have to respond, but the interaction is recorded, and they can poke you back if they want.
If you poke someone and they don’t poke you back right away, don’t worry—there’s no rule against multiple pokes. You can poke them again after some time has passed.
How to See Who Poked You
Wondering who’s been poking you on Facebook? It’s easy to check:
- Go to the Pokes Page: Whether on desktop or mobile, navigate to the “Pokes” page using the search function.
- Check Poke Notifications: On this page, you’ll see a list of recent pokes, including those from friends who have poked you. You’ll also be able to see your poke history, which can help you keep track of ongoing poke interactions.
Blocking Someone Who Pokes You
If you don’t want someone to poke you, you have the option to block them. Blocking a person on Facebook will prevent them from interacting with you in various ways, including poking. To block someone:
- Go to Their Profile: Navigate to the profile of the person you want to block.
- Click the Three Dots: On their profile, click the three dots (•••) in the top right corner.
- Select Block: From the dropdown menu, select the “Block” option, and follow the prompts to block the person.
Once blocked, the person will no longer be able to poke you or interact with you on Facebook in other ways.
The Nostalgia of Poking: A Resurgence in 2025
Poking is more than just a feature on Facebook—it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane for many users. The feature was one of Facebook’s first tools for social interaction, and while it may have been abandoned for a while, it has now returned with a vengeance, especially among younger generations.
The recent resurgence in poking can be attributed to several factors. First, Meta (Facebook’s parent company) has made it much easier to find the poke feature by integrating it into search. More importantly, younger users—particularly those in the 18-29 age range—have rediscovered poking, leading to a 13-fold increase in its use over the past month. Many of these users never experienced the feature during its original peak and are now enjoying it as something new and fun.
The simplicity of poking, without the pressure of starting a conversation or responding right away, makes it a refreshing change from other, more demanding forms of social interaction. It’s also become a playful way to engage with friends, with some users even reviving the classic “poke wars” that were common in Facebook’s early days.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Poke
As we head into 2025, Facebook’s poke feature is here to stay, and it’s more popular than ever. Whether you’re rediscovering it or using it for the first time, poking is a fun, non-verbal way to interact with friends on the platform.
So go ahead—poke someone today, and let them know you’re thinking of them with a simple, playful tap!
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