Facebook says that grammar is getting in the way of user experience from some members outside the US. That’s why they’re requesting new members fill out the information. Existing users will also be prompted to state their gender.
Apparently those who haven’t designated a gender get a little perturbed at the way they’re referred to on the Mini-Feed. Facebook has been using “themself,” which as Product Manager Naomi Gleit points out on the Facebook blog, isn’t even a word.
Gleit also says that there are members who find specifying their gender “too limiting.” Sigh.
Of course, the update will help Facebook’s knowledge of its demographics, which advertisers will find particularly useful.