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Jaime López
Jaime López

Posted on • Edited on • Originally published at intranetfromthetrenches.substack.com

SharePoint Online Newsfeed: Your Guide to Staying Informed

Ever feel like you miss important work stuff because it's hidden everywhere in SharePoint Online? Like news from your team's site or updates on that project you're on. We've all been there! But worry no more! This guide will be your hero in the fight against missing out.

Newspaper reader rounded by more newspapers by Egor Vikhred on Unsplash

Prepare to:

  • Uncover the News Sources: Discover the locations within Microsoft 365 where SharePoint Online news is shown.
  • Unlock Smart Prioritization: Demystify the algorithms that personalize your SharePoint Online news feed.
  • Become a News Master: Embrace the power of SharePoint Online news with useful tips & tricks.

Uncover the News Sources

Microsoft 365 offers different ways to access news depending on what you're looking for. It's great to have these specific news places, but it can also feel overwhelming!

This guide will help you navigate all these news locations within Microsoft 365:

  • SharePoint Online Home: Consider your SharePoint Online Home as your personalized news dashboard. Upon logging in, you'll be greeted by a news feed featuring the latest updates from the sites that matter most to you. No more endless scrolling through folders – just the news you need, front and center.

  • Team Sites & Communication Sites: Think of these sites as your team's virtual headquarters. But guess what? They can also house dedicated news sections. Here you'll find team announcements, project updates, or even fun team-building activities – all conveniently located in one place.

  • Hub Sites: Managing multiple connected teams? Hub sites come to the rescue! They act as a central news hub, pulling together updates from all the associated sites within the hub. Imagine it as a news aggregator for connected teams, keeping you informed on everything happening across the board.

  • Microsoft Teams: Let's face it, switching between apps can be a hassle. But with SharePoint Online news integrated directly into your Teams channels, you can access your news fix right there. Collaboration and staying informed? Now that's a winning combination!

  • SharePoint Mobile App: News on the go? Absolutely! The SharePoint mobile app keeps you updated on everything, ensuring you're always in the loop, even when you're away from your desk.

Microsoft - SharePoint Online news places

Unlock Smart Prioritization

SharePoint Online news acts like a smart assistant (not AI yet), taking the legwork out of finding relevant updates. It considers things like:

  • People you work with: Updates from your colleagues you chat with all the time automatically get bumped to the top of your feed.
  • Your boss and leadership: Need to stay in the loop with what your manager (and maybe even their manager) is up to? SharePoint Online news prioritizes updates from your leadership chain, keeping you informed on important decisions and directions.
  • Sites you follow closely: Ever hit "Follow" on a specific site because, well, it's important? Those sites become VIPs in your news feed. SharePoint Online news recognizes the sites you actively follow and ensures their updates are prominent in your feed.
  • Your regular haunts: Let's be honest, there are some sites you visit more frequently than others. SharePoint Online news is a sneaky genius! It tracks the sites you visit often and incorporates their news stories into your feed.

Become a News Master

Imagine a world where work updates magically appear in front of you, perfectly aligned with your needs. No more endless scrolling or frantic searches for missing information. SharePoint Online news can make this dream a reality, but to truly become a news master, there are some key actions you can take:

1. Leverage Smart Prioritization:

Remember how we talked about SharePoint Online news acting like a smart assistant, prioritizing updates based on various factors? Here's how you can leverage this to your advantage:

  • Be Strategic with Who You Follow: Follow sites and colleagues directly related to your projects and areas of interest. This signals to the prioritization algorithm that these updates are important to you, and they'll be reflected more prominently in your feed.
  • Engage with Relevant News: Clicking on and reading news posts you find interesting sends a message to the system. The more you engage with specific types of news, the more the algorithm tailors your feed to reflect your preferences.

2. Become a Proactive Participant:

Don't wait for the news to find you – go out and explore!

  • Visit Key Sites Regularly: Make a conscious effort to visit crucial project sites or team sites frequently. This reinforces their importance to the prioritization algorithm and ensures you stay up-to-date on the latest developments within those areas.

By following these steps, you can transform the SharePoint Online news feed from a non-valuable feed into a personalized information powerhouse. The more you actively engage with the system, the better it understands your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

This guide is your secret weapon, helping you navigate the SharePoint Online news jungle and emerge victorious. We've explored the hidden news hubs, from your personalized SharePoint Home to the bustling Team Sites. We've even peeked behind the curtain to understand how the smart prioritization engine works – no more news black holes!

Now, the power is truly in your hands. By following these tips and tricks, you'll transform from a news-gathering slave to a SharePoint Online News Master. Imagine a world where relevant updates magically appear in your feed, perfectly tailored to your needs. No more frantic searches or endless scrolling – just the information you crave, conveniently delivered.

So, the next time you log in to SharePoint Online, don't let the news feed intimidate you. Remember the skills you've learned here, and embrace the power of SharePoint Online news. Become a news master, stay informed, and watch your work success soar!

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