Facebook adds icons and links to status updates

The social network is rolling out a feature that throws an icon and link into any status update having to do with a movie, TV show, or book. These will also show up in user timelines.

 

Facebook is adding a new twist to status updates as of today. Any TV show, movie, or book that users mention in their status update will also contain an icon and link to the Facebook page of whatever's mentioned.
"For example, if you share that you're watching a movie like 'Jurassic Park,' your post will contain the movie icon and a link to the movie's page," Facebook wrote in a blog post today. "'Jurassic Park' will be added to the Movies section on your timeline."

In other words, those TV shows, movies, or books that appear in status updates will also be kept on record in users' timelines. Those people who don't want this log kept on their timeline can tinker with their privacy settings to disable the feature.
It's unclear why Facebook is launching this new feature, but it may have something to do with the social network's revamped News Feed. Last month, Facebook announced it was redesigning its feed with new ways to interact with friends, brands, and people. The most significant change is a switch from navigating stories in only two ways -- "most recent" and "top stories" -- to literally dozens of views of the latest stories.
Facebook will continue to roll out this new link-and-icon feature in the U.S. over the next few weeks. CNET contacted Facebook for more information and we'll update the story when we hear back.