Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc., is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard roommates, the company initially launched Facebook, a social networking platform that revolutionized online communication. Over the years, Meta expanded its portfolio by acquiring other prominent platforms, including Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, further solidifying its presence in the social media landscape.

In 2021, Meta rebranded itself to reflect its strategic shift towards developing the metaverse—a digital ecosystem encompassing virtual and augmented reality technologies. This move signifies the company’s commitment to creating immersive experiences that transcend traditional 2D interfaces, aiming to build the next evolution in social technology.

Meta’s diverse product suite includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads, each serving unique user needs. The company also operates Reality Labs, focusing on virtual, augmented, and mixed reality products, and Meta AI, which develops artificial intelligence tools, including language-processing models. As of 2024, Meta reported annual revenues of $164.50 billion, with a global workforce of approximately 76,834 employees.

The company’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Meta’s services empower more than 3 billion people worldwide to share ideas and offer support. The company emphasizes principles such as giving people a voice, building connection and community, serving everyone, keeping people safe and protecting privacy, and promoting economic opportunity. These principles guide Meta’s approach to developing technology that fosters meaningful relationships and community engagement.