Facebook: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:36, 12 December 2024

Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates at Harvard University, Facebook allows users to create profiles, connect with friends and family, share posts, and engage in various forms of communication and interaction.

History

Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004, initially available only to Harvard students. Its popularity grew rapidly, expanding to other universities and eventually to the general public in 2006.^[1]

In 2012, Facebook went public with its initial public offering (IPO), raising $16 billion, one of the largest IPOs in technology.^[2]

Features

User Profiles

Users can create personal profiles to share photos, updates, and interests. Profiles can include timeline posts, personal details, and friend connections.

News Feed

The News Feed is a central feature, displaying a curated stream of content from friends, pages, and groups. Algorithms prioritize content based on user interactions and preferences.^[3]

Messenger

Facebook Messenger, initially integrated into the platform, became a standalone app in 2014. It offers instant messaging, video calls, and file sharing.^[4]

Groups and Pages

Users can create or join groups to engage in discussions on shared interests. Pages allow businesses, organizations, and public figures to interact with their audience.

Controversies

Facebook has faced criticism over data privacy, misinformation, and its role in political manipulation. Notable controversies include the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the spread of misinformation during elections.^[5]

Global Impact

Facebook has over 2.9 billion monthly active users as of 2024, making it the largest social media platform worldwide. It has revolutionized communication, advertising, and online social interactions.^[6]

References

[1] "The History of Facebook: From Harvard Dorm to Global Dominance". https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-facebook.

[2] "Facebook's $16 Billion IPO Makes History". https://www.cnbc.com/2012/05/18/facebook-ipo.html.

[3] "How Facebook's News Feed Algorithm Works". https://www.wired.com/story/how-facebook-news-feed-algorithm-works/.

[4] "Facebook Messenger: From Add-On to Standalone App". https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/facebook-messenger-standalone-app.

[5] "What Happened with Cambridge Analytica?". https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43465968.

[6] "Facebook User Statistics 2024". https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/.

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+{{Short description|Social networking service by Meta Platforms}}
+{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
-'''Facebook''' is a [[social media]] and [[social networking service]] owned by American technology conglomerate [[Meta Platforms]]. Created in 2004 by [[Mark Zuckerberg]] with four other [[Harvard College]] students and roommates [[Eduardo Saverin]], [[Andrew McCollum]], [[Dustin Moskovitz]], and [[Chris Hughes]], its name derives from the [[face book]] directories often given to American university students. Membership was initially limited to Harvard students, gradually expanding to other North American universities. Since 2006, Facebook allows everyone to register from 13 years old (or older), except in the case of a handful of nations, where the age limit is 14 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=How do I report a child under the age of 14 on Facebook in South Korea, Spain or Quebec, Canada? |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/100532533374396/?helpref=related_articles%3DHow |website=Facebook |access-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013215702/https://www.facebook.com/help/100532533374396/?helpref=related_articles=How |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2022|December|df=US}}, Facebook claimed 3&nbsp;billion monthly active users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 1, 2023 |title=Meta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results |url=https://investor.fb.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2023/Meta-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2022-Results/default.aspx |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Meta Investor Relations - Facebook |language=en-US |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031182553/https://investor.fb.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2023/Meta-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2022-Results/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> As of October 2023 Facebook ranked as the 3rd most visited website in the world with 22.56% of its traffic coming from the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/|title=Top Websites Ranking - Most Visited Websites in January 2023|website=similarweb|access-date=August 8, 2022|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210041116/https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.similarweb.com/website/facebook.com/#geography|title=facebook.com|website=similarweb.com}}</ref> It was the most downloaded [[mobile app]] of the 2010s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/16/apps-and-games-of-the-decade/|title=These were the most-downloaded apps and games of the decade|last=Miller|first=Chance|date=December 17, 2019|website=9to5Mac|language=en-US|access-date=December 17, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217130013/https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/16/apps-and-games-of-the-decade/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+'''Facebook''' is an online social media and social networking service owned by [[Meta Platforms]]. Founded in 2004 by [[Mark Zuckerberg]] and his college roommates at [[Harvard University]], Facebook allows users to create profiles, connect with friends and family, share posts, and engage in various forms of communication and interaction.
-{{Infobox website
+== History ==
-|name           = Facebook{{Verified}}
+Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004, initially available only to Harvard students. Its popularity grew rapidly, expanding to other universities and eventually to the general public in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Facebook: From Harvard Dorm to Global Dominance |url=https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-facebook |website=History.com |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
-|image          = Facebook.png
-|caption        =
-|url            = https://www.facebook.com
-|slogan         =
-|commercial     =
-|type           = Social networking service
-|language       = 112 Languages
-|registration   =
-|owner          =
-|creator        = [[Meta Platforms]]
-|creator        = [[Mark Zuckerberg]],
-[[Dustin Aaron Moskovitz]],
+In 2012, Facebook went public with its initial public offering (IPO), raising $16 billion, one of the largest IPOs in technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facebook's $16 Billion IPO Makes History |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/05/18/facebook-ipo.html |website=CNBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
-[[Chris Hughes]],
+== Features ==
-[[Andrew McCollum]],
+=== User Profiles ===
+Users can create personal profiles to share photos, updates, and interests. Profiles can include timeline posts, personal details, and friend connections.
-[[Eduardo Saverin]]
+=== News Feed ===
+The News Feed is a central feature, displaying a curated stream of content from friends, pages, and groups. Algorithms prioritize content based on user interactions and preferences.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Facebook's News Feed Algorithm Works |url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-facebook-news-feed-algorithm-works/ |website=Wired |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
-|maintainer     = '''[[Mark Zuckerberg]]''', [[CEO]] (2004-2024)
+=== Messenger ===
+Facebook Messenger, initially integrated into the platform, became a standalone app in 2014. It offers instant messaging, video calls, and file sharing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facebook Messenger: From Add-On to Standalone App |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/facebook-messenger-standalone-app |website=The Verge |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
-|launch date    =
+=== Groups and Pages ===
-|current status = Active
+Users can create or join groups to engage in discussions on shared interests. Pages allow businesses, organizations, and public figures to interact with their audience.
-|article count  =
-|revenue        =
-}}
-Facebook can be accessed from devices with [[Internet]] connectivity, such as [[personal computer]]s, [[Tablet computer|tablets]] and [[smartphone]]s. After registering, users can create a profile revealing information about themselves. They can post text, photos and multimedia which are shared with any other users who have agreed to be their [[Friending and following|friend]] or, with different [[privacy settings]], publicly. Users can also [[Instant messaging|communicate directly]] with each other with [[Messenger (software)|Messenger]], join common-interest groups, and receive notifications on the activities of their Facebook friends and the pages they follow.
+== Controversies ==
+Facebook has faced criticism over data privacy, misinformation, and its role in political manipulation. Notable controversies include the [[Cambridge Analytica]] scandal and the spread of misinformation during elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=What Happened with Cambridge Analytica? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43465968 |website=BBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
-The subject of [[Criticism of Facebook|numerous controversies]], Facebook has often been criticized over issues such as [[Internet privacy|user privacy]] (as with the [[Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal|Cambridge Analytica data scandal]]), political manipulation (as with the [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections#Social media and Internet trolls|2016 U.S. elections]]) and mass surveillance.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 24, 2018|title=Facebook accused of conducting mass surveillance through its apps|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/24/facebook-accused-of-conducting-mass-surveillance-through-its-apps|access-date=October 9, 2020|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|last1=Cadwalladr|first1=Carole|last2=Graham-Harrison|first2=v|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003235/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/24/facebook-accused-of-conducting-mass-surveillance-through-its-apps|url-status=live}}</ref> Facebook has also been subject to criticism over psychological effects such as [[Problematic social media use|addiction]] and low [[self-esteem]], and various controversies over content such as [[fake news]], [[conspiracy theories]], [[copyright infringement]], and [[hate speech]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/21/quit-facebook-privacy-scandal-private-messages|title=Is 2019 the year you should finally quit Facebook?|first=Arwa|last=Mahdawi|date=December 21, 2018|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=May 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528063824/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/21/quit-facebook-privacy-scandal-private-messages|url-status=live}}</ref> Commentators have accused Facebook of willingly facilitating the spread of such content, as well as exaggerating its number of users to appeal to advertisers.<ref name=useradappeal>{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.com/2018/08/17/facebook_ad_reach_lawsuit/#:~:text='Made%2Dup%20PR%20numbers',to%20exaggerate%20online%20advertising%20audience&text=Facebook%20brags%20it%20has%20a,than%201.27bn%20fake%20accounts.|title=Facebook flat-out 'lies' about how many people can see its ads – lawsuit|first=Thomas|last=Claburn|publisher=The Register|date=August 17, 2018|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907062047/https://www.theregister.com/2018/08/17/facebook_ad_reach_lawsuit/#:~:text='Made%2Dup%20PR%20numbers',to%20exaggerate%20online%20advertising%20audience&text=Facebook%20brags%20it%20has%20a,than%201.27bn%20fake%20accounts.|url-status=live}}</ref>
+== Global Impact ==
+Facebook has over 2.9 billion monthly active users as of 2024, making it the largest social media platform worldwide. It has revolutionized communication, advertising, and online social interactions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Facebook User Statistics 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/ |website=Statista |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
+== See Also ==
+* [[Meta Platforms]]
+* [[Instagram]]
+* [[WhatsApp]]
+* [[Social Media]]
-== History ==
-== Website ==
-== Reception ==
-== Criticisms and controversies ==
-== Impact ==
-== See also ==
 == References ==
-== Further reading ==
+<references />
-== External links ==