Tumblr has made it easier than ever for users to simultaneously post on Facebook, much to the chagrin of Tumblr users everywhere.
Tumblr engineer Matt Tom-Wolverton outlined the new integration options on the Tumblr staff blog. Users now will have the option to automatically send all posts to Facebook as well as share Tumblr likes or replies on their Facebook Timeline, Newsfeed, and Ticker.
“Sharing your posts on Facebook just got a billion times better,” he wrote.
However, the way Tumblr users are reacting, it’s as if things have gotten a billion times worse.
“PLLEASEEE no don’t do this. Tumblr is for tumblr. Like twitter is for twitter,” wrote Josie. (Twitter and Facebook incidentally allow people to share across each other’s networks).
What’s the problem? According to some users, they have Facebook and Tumblr accounts in order to connect with very different groups of friends. And in the case of some users, those include groups of people they’ve only “friended” out of obligation.
“OK Staff, I will definitely connect my personal blog to my Facebook full of people I don’t like,” wrote Rachel.
Others pointed out that while minimalist Tumblr allows users to feel more anonymous, Facebook is where they put their identities out in the open.
“I think Tumblr is a lot like catharsis,” wrote Sylvie. “[G]etting all those strong emotions out that are bottled up inside of you and not caring what others think. Which is why it is foolish for someone to merge their Tumblr with their Facebook. Those are two different outlets: one is personal, while the other is for the public eye.”
Lucky for these unhappy users, Tumblr’s Facebook integration is not default. Users will have to manually toggle the option to share posts with Facebook.
And maybe, just maybe, somebody actually will.
“very cool guys—nice work!” wrote Will Hutson, in one of just a handful of pleased replies.
Photo by Adam Hally