Facebook is a social networking service founded by Mark Zuckerberg, along with Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, in 2004. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Facebook has grown to become one of the largest social media platforms globally, with billions of active users. It enables users to create profiles, connect with friends and family, share updates, photos, videos, and participate in various online communities. Facebook has expanded its services over the years, integrating features like Messenger, Facebook Groups, Facebook Marketplace, and Facebook Watch for video streaming.

In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram and later WhatsApp in 2014, consolidating its presence in the social media and messaging space. In 2021, Facebook rebranded its parent company as Meta Platforms, Inc., emphasizing its focus on the metaverse and augmented reality experiences. Despite its widespread use, Facebook has faced criticism for issues related to privacy, misinformation, data security, and its role in shaping public opinion.

Facebook’s algorithm-driven news feed prioritizes content based on user interactions, leading to concerns about echo chambers and the spread of misinformation. To address this, Facebook has introduced fact-checking initiatives, partnerships with third-party fact-checkers, and tools for identifying false information on the platform.