When was Facebook Created​ & Who owns it?

Creation of Facebook

Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004, initially as “TheFacebook.” Facebook was created on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes, while they were students at Harvard University. Facebook started as a social networking site exclusive to Harvard students, allowing them to connect and share information. It quickly expanded to other Ivy League universities and then to colleges across the United States and Canada. By 2006, it opened its doors to anyone over 13 with a valid email address.

Founders

• Mark Zuckerberg: The primary architect of Facebook, he was a sophomore at Harvard University when he started the platform.
• Eduardo Saverin: Served as the company’s first CFO and business manager. He helped fund the initial development of the site.
• Andrew McCollum: Worked on the initial programming and development of the website.
• Dustin Moskovitz: Contributed to the coding and was responsible for the engineering efforts.
• Chris Hughes: Played a key role in the website’s early marketing and user outreach.

Growth & Evolution

• User Growth: Facebook experienced rapid growth, reaching over 1 million users by the end of 2004. By 2012, it had surpassed 1 billion users.
• Features: Over the years, Facebook introduced various features, including the News Feed, photo sharing, groups and events, which helped enhance user engagement.
• Acquisitions: The company has acquired several other platforms and companies, including Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, expanding its ecosystem.

Ownership

• Rebranding to Meta: In October 2021, Facebook, Inc. was rebranded as Meta Platforms, Inc. This change reflected the company’s focus on building the metaverse—a collective virtual shared space that encompasses virtual and augmented realities.
• Stock Market: Meta Platforms, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol META. This means it is owned by shareholders who buy and sell its stock.
• Leadership: Mark Zuckerberg remains the CEO and a significant shareholder, holding considerable control over the company through his ownership of Class B shares, which have more voting power than Class A shares held by the general public.

Current Impact

• Global Reach: Facebook has become one of the largest social media platforms in the world, influencing communication, advertising and even political landscapes.
• Controversies: The platform has faced scrutiny over issues like data privacy, misinformation and its impact on mental health and society.

Conclusion

Facebook’s journey from a college project to a global social media giant illustrates the rapid evolution of technology and communication in the 21st century. As Meta, the company continues to innovate and expand its influence in the digital world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Create a Facebook Business Page?

• Log In to your Facebook account.
• Go to Pages and click Create New Page.
• Enter your Page Name, Category and Description.
• Upload a Profile and Cover Photo.
• Fill in business details and create a Username.
• Click Publish to make your page live.
• Share and promote your page.

How to Create an Event on Facebook?​

• Log In to your Facebook account.
• Go to the Events section in the left menu.
• Click on Create Event.
• Choose Private or Public event.
• Fill in event details: Name, Date, Time, Location and Description.
• Upload a Cover Photo (optional).
• Click Create to publish your event.

How to Create a Poll on Facebook​?

• Log In to Facebook.
• Go to your News Feed or Group where you want to post the poll.
• Click on the What’s on your mind? box.
• Select Poll from the options.
• Enter your Question and add Poll Options.
• Set the Poll Duration (optional).
• Click Post to share the poll.