History of Facebook

The Birth (2004)

Mark Zuckerberg created "TheFacebook" at Harvard to help students connect. It later expanded to other schools
and became a global social network. Co-founders included Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz,
and Chris Hughes.

Expansion & Funding (2005-2006)

Facebook grew quickly, expanding to high schools and the public. In 2004, Peter Thiel invested $500,000. In 2005,
the company dropped "The" from its name and bought facebook.com.

Going Global (2006)

Facebook opened to anyone with an email and introduced the News Feed, which helped it grow faster than
MySpace.

Business Model (2007)

Facebook began making money with ads. Microsoft invested $240 million for a stake in the company. It also
allowed third-party apps to integrate with the platform.

Sheryl Sandberg (2008)

Sheryl Sandberg became COO, leading Facebook’s advertising strategy and international growth.

"Like" Button (2010)

Facebook introduced the "Like" button, making it easier for users to engage with posts. The movie The Social
Network told the story of Facebook’s rise.

IPO & Acquisitions (2012)

Facebook went public and raised $16 billion. It also acquired Instagram for $1 billion.
Big Acquisitions (2014)

Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion and Oculus VR, expanding into messaging and virtual reality.

Facebook Live & Scrutiny (2016)

Facebook introduced live streaming but faced criticism for spreading fake news, especially during the U.S. election.

Privacy Scandal (2018)

The Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed how Facebook mishandled user data, leading to a public outcry and
Congressional hearings.

Rebrand to Meta (2021)

Facebook rebranded as Meta to focus on the metaverse, a virtual space blending the digital and physical worlds.

Today (2025)

Meta has over 2.9 billion users and remains a leader in social media, digital ads, and virtual reality, while facing
ongoing scrutiny over privacy and misinformation.

What is Facebook?

Facebook is a free social networking platform that allows users to connect with others, share content, and engage
in online communities.

Key Features:

•Profiles & Friendships: Users create profiles to share personal information and connect with others via friend
requests.

•Timeline: A feed displaying posts, updates, and activities, where friends can interact with comments and
reactions.

•News Feed: Central hub for updates from friends, followed pages, and targeted ads.

•Likes & Reactions: Users can "like" or react to posts with various emotional responses.

•Private Messaging: Direct messaging via Facebook or Messenger app for private conversations.

•Groups & Pages: Join interest-based groups or create pages for businesses, organizations, or causes.
•Events: Organize and attend events like meetups or large-scale gatherings.

•Marketplace: Buy and sell items locally within the community.

•Stories: Share temporary photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.

•Live Streaming: Broadcast live video to engage with followers or a broader audience.

•Purpose: Facebook is primarily used for staying in touch with friends and family, sharing life updates, and forming
communities.

•Popularity: It is a major platform for businesses and advertisers due to its large user base and the ability to target
ads precisely.

•User Base: Facebook has nearly 3 billion active users, catering to a broad demographic.

•Monetization: The platform generates revenue primarily from targeted advertising, which appears in the News
Feed and other areas.

Advantages of Facebook

Communication & Networking

Facebook provides a platform for businesses to directly communicate with customers and build relationships. It
also allows individuals to network and connect with like-minded people across the globe.

Groups & Event Promotion

Facebook Groups help foster communities based on shared interests, allowing businesses to engage with their
target audience. The Event feature enables businesses to promote events, manage RSVPs, and increase
attendance.

Targeting & Lead Generation

Facebook's advanced ad targeting capabilities allow businesses to reach their ideal audience based on a variety of
criteria. Additionally, lead generation forms within Facebook ads make it easy for businesses to collect valuable
customer information.

Brand Building & Consumer Behavior

Facebook allows businesses to create a strong brand presence by sharing content that resonates with their
audience. Tracking user interactions helps businesses better understand consumer behavior and refine their
marketing strategies.
Insights & Analytics

Facebook Insights and Ads Manager provide businesses with data-driven insights to assess the performance of
their campaigns. This information helps businesses optimize content and targeting strategies to drive better
results.

Advanced Audience Targeting

Facebook allows for highly specific audience targeting, ensuring ads reach the most relevant users. This precision
increases the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and helps businesses achieve higher conversion rates.

Diverse Ad Formats & Integration

Facebook offers a variety of ad formats, such as carousel, video, and slideshow ads, to meet different campaign
objectives. Additionally, integration with Instagram and Messenger extends the reach and effectiveness of
campaigns.

Live Streaming & Mobile-Friendly

Facebook Live provides a powerful tool for businesses to engage with their audience in real time, increasing
interaction and brand visibility. The platform’s mobile-optimized features ensure accessibility for users on
smartphones and tablets.

User Engagement & Customer Service

Facebook allows businesses to interact directly with customers, respond to inquiries, and offer customer support
through comments and Messenger. This two-way communication strengthens relationships and builds customer
loyalty.

Disadvantages of Facebook

•Privacy Concerns

-Facebook's data mining, third-party data sharing, and vulnerability to data breaches (e.g., Cambridge Analytica
scandal) compromise user privacy.
•Spread of Misinformation

-The platform’s algorithms prioritize sensationalist content, amplifying misinformation, which can influence public
opinion and hinder public health efforts (e.g., COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy).

•Mental Health Impact

-Facebook can exacerbate anxiety and depression, especially among adolescents, due to unrealistic portrayals of
life and exposure to cyberbullying.

•Diminished Real-world Interaction

-Excessive Facebook use can reduce face-to-face communication, weaken community bonds, and erode
interpersonal skills.

•Impact on Productivity

-The addictive nature of Facebook leads to distractions, decreased productivity at work, and impaired cognitive
functions.

•Impact on Sleep

-The use of Facebook before bedtime disrupts circadian rhythms, resulting in poor sleep quality.

•Exposure to Inappropriate Content

- Users, especially minors, are at risk of encountering harmful content like violence and hate speech, and the
platform struggles with moderation.

•Economic Disparities in Access

- Access to Facebook is limited in lower-income regions, creating a digital divide that exacerbates social
inequalities.

•Business Dependence on Facebook

•Environmental Impact

-Facebook’s data centers consume vast amounts of energy and contribute to carbon emissions, adding to its
environmental footprint.

Solutions to mitigate these issues;

Stricter Privacy Regulations

Implement stronger data protection laws and increase transparency in data usage.

Fact-Checking & Media Literacy

Strengthen fact-checking systems and promote media literacy to fight misinformation.

Mental Health & Well-Being

Launch initiatives to support digital well-being and mental health, reducing negative effects.

Encourage Balanced Use

Promote healthy usage habits and encourage real-world social interactions.

Diversified Marketing Strategies

Encourage businesses to expand marketing efforts beyond Facebook for broader reach.

Sustainable Practice

Invest in renewable energy and adopt environmentally sustainable practices to reduce Facebook's carbon
footprint.