Microsoft Teams to Get New Facebook-Inspired Storyline Feature to Boost Employee Engagement

Microsoft has started testing a new Facebook-style Storyline news feed internally within Microsoft Teams. According to a new report from The Verge, this feature will allow users to share updates, post news, and engage with colleagues by liking and sharing content.

“Storyline enables leaders to communicate directly with their organizations, delivering personalized updates to amplify, clarify, and humanize leadership communication. Employees can share their perspectives, celebrate achievements, propose innovative ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations with colleagues across their organizations,” Microsoft explained.

Microsoft first announced this new Storyline feature for Teams at its Ignite conference in November 2024. This new feature builds on a similar tool in Viva Engage, a social networking platform aimed at improving employee engagement and communication within organizations.

How does the Storyline feature work in Microsoft Teams?

In Microsoft Teams, users will be able to view Storyline notifications under the Activity section in the left navigation pane. Clicking on a notification will open a new pane on the right, which will offer a dedicated space for conversations. Users will also be able to access their colleagues’ Storyline pages directly from one-on-one Teams chats.

Additionally, Microsoft Teams users will have a tab in their personal chat that will provide access to their Storyline page. From there, users will be able to create new posts and announcements, view existing ones, and manage their followers. Users will also have access to Storyline profile analytics, though this feature requires a Viva Engage premium license.

The Storyline feature will also allow business leaders to manage their communication more effectively by allowing trusted delegates to handle posts and comments on their behalf. Users will also be able to gain detailed insights into how their Storyline posts are performing. These analytics will provide a detailed view of the engagement metrics, including likes, shares, comments, and other interactions.

According to the Microsoft 365 roadmap, this new Storyline feature will become generally available for commercial customers next month. However, keep in mind that it will require a Microsoft Teams or Viva Engage subscription. This feature will be available by default, but IT admins will need to configure it for end users within their organizations.