In October 2021, Facebook’s parent company changed its name to Meta Platforms Inc., but the Facebook app, website, and service were not renamed Facebook Meta. The social network remains called Facebook, and the change reflects a rebrand of the parent company to signal its focus on the metaverse. This status_clarifier explains what changed, what did not, and how to refer to the company and its products going forward.
What changed in October 2021
On October 28, 2021, Facebook’s corporate parent officially became Meta Platforms Inc. (often shortened to Meta). The rebrand was announced by Mark Zuckerberg and outlined a strategy oriented toward building the metaverse, with the company positioning itself as a metaverse infrastructure and technology company. The Facebook app, Facebook.com, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other front-facing consumer products kept their names and logos. The legal entity rename primarily affected corporate communications, investor materials, and certain B2B contexts such as partnerships and enterprise solutions.
What did not change
No changes were made to the Facebook app, website, or service as a consumer product. End users still download the Facebook app from app stores, access facebook.com, and interact with the News Feed, Marketplace, Groups, Pages, and other features under the Facebook brand. The rename did not alter terms of service, privacy policy substance (beyond related governance), data handling practices, or day-to-day functionality for people using the platform to connect with friends, family, and communities.
Why the company rebranded
The rename to Meta was intended to communicate that the parent company’s scope extends beyond the Facebook social network, encompassing a family of apps including Instagram and WhatsApp and a longer-term product and technology focus on the metaverse. Internal materials and earnings reports frequently refer to metaverse opportunities, Reality Labs research and development, and connected devices initiatives. From a brand and taxonomy perspective, Meta is treated as an overarching holding company and umbrella identity, while Facebook remains the primary product identity for the social networking experience.
Brand, products, and entities at a glance
| Item | Current status | Typical usage |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook (app/website) | Unchanged product | Consumer social networking |
| Meta (parent company) | Rebranded legal/holding company | Corporate, investor, and ecosystem references |
| Facebook Meta | Not a product or legal name | Not used officially; potential confusion |
| Instagram and WhatsApp | Unchanged products | Messaging, photos, and social apps within Meta’s portfolio |
How to refer to the company and services
When speaking about the social network, use Facebook. When referring to the corporate entity focused on the metaverse and a family of apps, use Meta or Meta Platforms. Avoid combining the two into Facebook Meta. In headlines and public-facing content, clarity benefits from explicit context: for example, "Meta (formerly Facebook’s parent company)" or "the Facebook app" where appropriate. Consistent terminology reduces ambiguity for audiences who encounter both the product and the corporate rebrand.
Practical effects for people and businesses
For everyday people, the day-to-day experience of using the Facebook app is unchanged. Features, notifications, and interface language remain the same, and people continue to sign in with their existing Facebook accounts. For businesses and advertisers, product names such as Facebook Ads Manager and tools remain; the rebrand does not reset policies or remove historical data. Developers and partners should review Meta for Developers documentation for any updates tied to the corporate rebrand, but core APIs and app integrations remain associated with Facebook as the product name.
Common questions and misconceptions
- Did the Facebook app get renamed to Facebook Meta? No. The app remains called Facebook.
- Is Facebook now called Meta everywhere? No. Meta is the name of the parent company; the social network is still called Facebook.
- Do I need a new account after the rename? No. Existing accounts and data remain the same.
- Does the rename affect my privacy or data settings? No. Privacy settings continue to be managed within Facebook and related app settings.
- How should I refer to the company in writing? Use Meta for the corporate entity and Facebook for the product or service.
Looking forward
Going forward, expect Meta to appear in corporate filings, earnings reports, and announcements about the metaverse, Reality Labs, and connected devices, while Facebook will remain the dominant brand for the social networking experience. Understanding the distinction helps people and businesses communicate accurately and avoid confusion when discussing features, advertising, partnerships, or news that references either the company or the product.
Reliable sources to consult
For ongoing and authoritative updates about naming, governance, and product boundaries, refer to official channels: Meta Investor Relations, Meta Newsroom, Meta for Developers documentation, and Meta’s official social channels linked from the Facebook app or website.
Note: As of the current date, the Facebook app is unchanged and remains the primary social networking product; Meta is the new name of the parent company.