Drop the Facebook, just ???

It has been a great run for Facebook. They have survived much longer than previous social media websites (think MySpace and AOL Messenger) and survived an onslaught of new competitors such as Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram (before they bought it). They have adapted their name, look, and feel to remain one of the most recognizable businesses in the world. Impressive and historic. 

They announced this week that their name would be changing to encompass a new generation and company vision, something called the "meta-verse." We know nothing (yet) about it and no other news is leaking out of Palo Alto. Waiting time.

Usually a company changing a name is a publicity stunt to 1) drum up struggling sales 2) a genuine change to adapt to a new business environment. Facebook is doing neither; rather it's damage control to the max. The company has been battered over the past few years from data-selling scandals to reports their products make teens more suicidal. It has not been a smooth ride despite the stock soaring and money pouring in. They feel like a matured company on their way down from their mile-high trip to a crash in the middle of the desert with no water. 

What's worse, their product isn't "cool" anymore. The best move Facebook has made was buying Instagram to connect with younger users, but even that has its days as TikTok and Snapchat dominate the younger, tech-heavy generations. Facebook is the adult product where kids wouldn't consider making unless they need to save progress on a mobile game.

So what now? Will a name change actually revitalize Facebook and make us forget they interfered in elections, blocked certain users on their platform while allowing the Taliban to post freely, or is responsible for young girls constantly comparing themselves to others, destroying mental health in the process? Doubtful.

Is Facebook completely finished? Hardly, too much cash, power, and users to go out with a whimper. Their new product and vision may save them, but the "add me as a friend" Facebook you know is dying. Whether that's good or bad is up to you.

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