Facebook 'Friends Day' video falls flat with users

Facebook declared it so in celebration of its 12th birthday - gifting users a video of the friends they probably don't see as much since the rise of the social media giant.

The company used automated technology to collate photos of users and their friends, packing them together in a video collage, which can be shared publicly or viewed privately.

But, unfortunately, computer codes can't differentiate between ex-lovers, estranged parents or dead dogs. So "Friends Day" became a bit of a thing, maybe to Facebook's ire, on Twitter.

that friends day video on fb would be cute if my ex weren't in it multiple times — sadgrrl666 (@punkflop) February 4, 2016

Just did that 'happy friends day' thing on facebook. It managed to get 3 of my ex's in the space of about 10 photos. I love you too facebook — Luke Franks (@luke_franks) February 4, 2016

Thanks Facebook: the first picture you show me from that Friends Day video is of my dead dog. — Deniz (@DenizNezzy) February 4, 2016

For some, the algorithm turned up unexpected, but perhaps revealing, results.

I just did that "Happy Friends Day" montage on Facebook and didn't recognise ANYONE in the video. — Emma Gannon (@girllostincity) February 4, 2016

my Facebook Friends Day video was just a bunch of pictures of my cats and a piece of pizza I found under my couch. — JAY [ham] KAY (@NurseMurderer) February 4, 2016

Facebook just sent me a 'Friends Day' (?) video which makes it look like the geek from Grease is my only real friend. — Jonathan Sloman (@SquidyUK) February 3, 2016

On the eve of "Friends Day", something of a counter movement - initiated by Comedy Central show @midnight - took off with users posting about their life before Mark Zuckerberg dreamt up the idea of Facebook in his Harvard dorm.

#BeforeFacebookI had to stalk my exes with binoculars and camouflage gear. pic.twitter.com/kpGaZUrEiN — Ally Hirschlag (@AllyHirschlag) February 3, 2016

#BeforeFacebookI assumed everyone knew the difference between their, they're and there.

But we were wrong. Very wrong. — musicMagpie (@musicMagpie) February 3, 2016

#BeforeFacebookI had to go door to door and ask my neighbours if they liked the photos I took at the local Taco Bell @midnight — Colton Curtis (@ImColtonCurtis) February 3, 2016

#BeforeFacebookI had to manually call up everyone from my high school and ask if they were fat now @midnight — Brett Osinoff (@BrettOsinoff) February 3, 2016

But "Friend's Day" follows a pattern of Facebook trying to get to know us better - there's the "Good Morning" messages and the selection of "on this day memories" - which has also had its hiccups. 

Thanks Facebook for the great memories pic.twitter.com/Yk6h7qgwPY — Nico Fargione (@Nicostilus) January 25, 2016

You can view your "Friends Day" video at the top of your feed, or by clicking "Watch yours" below a friend's video. You can also swap in new photos if you get a picture of fried eggs or your ex.