Meta is the corporate brand of Meta Platforms, Inc., one of the world’s largest technology companies. It is best known for owning and operating some of the most widely used social media and communication platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and developing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The company adopted the Meta brand on October 28, 2021, changing its corporate name from Facebook, Inc. The rebranding reflected a broader vision of building the “metaverse”—an interconnected digital environment where people can socialize, work, learn, and play using immersive technologies. 1

Meta began as Facebook, a social networking website created by Mark Zuckerberg while he was a student at Harvard University in 2004.

The platform rapidly expanded beyond universities and became the world’s largest social networking service.

Over time, Facebook acquired several major technology companies:

• 2012 – Instagram
• 2014 – WhatsApp
• 2014 – Oculus VR (later rebranded under Meta’s VR division)

By 2021, the company owned several of the world’s largest communication platforms, serving billions of users.

On October 28, 2021, Facebook officially rebranded as Meta to emphasize that Facebook would become one product among many, while the parent company focused on broader technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. 1

The word Meta comes from the Greek prefix μετά (meta), meaning:

• Beyond
• After
• Transcending
• Higher level

The name symbolizes the company’s goal of moving beyond traditional social networking toward immersive digital experiences.

Meta’s corporate mission is:

“Build the future of human connection.” 2

Meta operates a broad ecosystem of consumer and enterprise technologies.

Social Platforms

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Messenger
• Threads

Messaging

• WhatsApp
• Messenger

Virtual Reality

• Meta Quest headsets
• Horizon Worlds

Artificial Intelligence

Meta develops AI systems and models used across its products and for research, including the Llama family of large language models and other generative AI technologies. 3

Developer Technologies

Meta contributes extensively to open-source software and research, releasing projects, AI models, and engineering tools used throughout the technology industry. 4

Meta primarily generates revenue through:

• Digital advertising
• AI-powered advertising tools
• Business messaging services
• Virtual reality hardware
• Digital content
• Creator tools
• Enterprise technologies

Advertising remains the company’s largest source of income.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• WhatsApp
• Messenger
• Threads
• Meta Quest
• Horizon Worlds
• Meta AI

Meta invests heavily in:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Mixed Reality (MR)
• Wearable Devices
• Smart Glasses
• Computer Vision
• Large Language Models
• Open Source AI

Meta aims to build technologies that allow people to:

• Connect with others
• Build communities
• Work remotely
• Learn virtually
• Play immersive games
• Create digital experiences
• Interact with AI assistants

Its long-term strategy extends beyond social media to what it describes as the next generation of computing platforms. 1

Meta’s platforms collectively serve billions of users worldwide and support individuals, creators, businesses, and developers across nearly every country. Its products are among the most widely used digital communication services globally.

Logo

Meta’s logo is a blue, infinity-inspired symbol representing limitless connection and innovation.

Brand Colors

• Meta Blue
• White

Brand Personality

• Innovative
• Connected
• Future-oriented
• Open
• Technology-driven

Meta states its mission as:

“Give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.”

The broader company vision emphasizes building technologies that enable richer forms of human connection, including AI and immersive computing. 1

• 2004 – Facebook founded
• 2012 – Instagram acquired
• 2014 – WhatsApp acquired
• 2014 – Oculus VR acquired
• 2021 – Facebook, Inc. renamed Meta Platforms, Inc.
• 2022 onward – Expanded investments in AI, virtual reality, and mixed reality technologies. 1

1. The Facebook Company Is Now Meta | Meta
2. Meta
3. About Us – AI at Meta
4. About | Meta Open Source