Facebook began in 2004. If you are looking for the founding year, that is the answer: the social network was launched that year. The name Meta came in 2021. That was a new name for the company behind Facebook, not a new start for the social network.
Below, you will find a short timeline and learn about the difference between Facebook and Meta.
When did Facebook begin?
The official company information from Meta names 2004 as the launch year. These two moments help you distinguish the start of Facebook from the arrival of Meta:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Facebook is launched. |
| 2021 | Meta is presented as the new company name. |
What changed for Facebook with the name Meta?
On 28 October 2021, Meta became the new company name. According to the official announcement from Meta the structure of the company did not change as a result.
The name of a company is different from the name of a social network. Compare it to a publisher that gets a different name. An existing newspaper from that publisher does not start again. Likewise, the arrival of Meta was not the beginning of Facebook.
Do you want to know who owns Facebook? Then read who owns Facebook.
What should you look out for in older explanations about Facebook?
If you come across an old article in which the company is still called Facebook, check the publication date. It helps you understand why it says Facebook instead of Meta.
Also pay attention to the date when you are looking for information about your profile or posting a photo or video. The founding year remains the same, but information about using Facebook can become outdated. This also applies if you use Facebook for your shop or business. If you also publish your own content, our Facebook services includes packages for followers and page likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
Read more about Facebook
- More about the company’s history: when Facebook bought Instagram.
- Looking for help with your profile? Read what you can do if your Facebook account has been hacked.
