New Facebook 'Timeline' to soon become compulsory for all

Facebook may soon make its new ‘Timeline’ feature - currently available on an optional basis - mandatory for everyone using the site.

The social network said in a blog post on Tuesday that it would roll out the feature to all users "over the next few weeks."

Facebook users have seven days to preview their Timeline before it goes live, which “gives you a chance to add or hide whatever you want before anyone else sees it,” the company said.

When it’s a particular user’s turn to get Timeline, he or she will see an announcement at the top of their home page.

Introduced late last year, Timeline has been touted by Facebook as an “entirely new kind of profile” that is more visual and comprehensive.

“Timeline gives you an easy way to rediscover the things you shared, and collect your most important moments," the LA Times quoted Facebook as saying in a December blog post.

“It also lets you share new experiences, like the music you listen to or the miles you run,” the company said.

In the Timeline, past activity is easily accessible via an archive panel on the right side of users’ screen, and in addition to the smaller profile photo one can choose another image that will be prominently featured across the top of the profile page.

So far, reviews for this new feature have been mixed, with critics saying they didn’t like having all their previous activity dredged back up (that can be removed) or the scattered layout.