If you have spent any length of time on Facebook, you may have been “poked” by someone, or you may have wondered what it means to give someone else a poke.
A poke is a small application on Facebook that is included with every account. On your homepage, a small box on the right hand side called “Pokes” is visible if anyone has poked you.
- Just to say a quick “hello”
- To remind someone that you’re waiting on a reply or message from him or her
- To check in and see if a person has visited Facebook lately
- To let someone know you’re thinking of him or her
- Just for fun
How to Send Pokes
To poke someone:
- Visit their timeline.
- Locate the gear symbol in the far right side of their banner.
- Click on the gear symbol to get a drop down menu that includes the option to “Poke”.
- Confirm the poke in the pop-up box when it appears; once you do that, the poke is sent.
If someone pokes you, you will have the option to poke them back or remove the poke. Links to select either one of these choices are found beside the pokes themselves. If you decide to remove the poke, it disappears forever.
One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot poke the same person twice, unless the individual has returned or removed your first poke.
How to Tell If You Have Been Poked
Poke symbols are simply small images of a hand with a finger pointing, and the name of the person who sent the poke to you. If you have been poked, the image will show up on your home page. Only you can see the poke once you receive it. Depending upon your notification settings, you may also receive a notification informing you of the poke.
So, go a-poking!