Brandon Fletcher
Meta has introduced a new app on the App Store that bears a striking resemblance to Reddit.
Named Forum, the app is described as “a dedicated space built for deeper discussions, real answers, and communities you care about,” according to its listing on the App Store.
In essence, Forum serves as a standalone app version of Facebook’s Groups feature, allowing users to engage in discussions within the groups they already belong to on Facebook. The feed in this new app is solely centered on the conversations occurring within those groups. Forum remains connected to Facebook, enabling users to log in with their Facebook credentials, and any posts made in Forum will also appear in their corresponding groups on the Facebook app.
Some users might feel a sense of familiarity, and that’s understandable, as this represents Meta’s second attempt to launch a dedicated app for Facebook Groups. Previously, the company released a similar app under the Facebook name in 2014, which was ultimately discontinued in 2017.
To differentiate this launch, Meta has included a specialized AI assistant within the app. The “Ask” feature utilizes information from group pages to provide responses to users seeking “opinions, advice, or recommendations,” according to Meta’s statement. there is a separate AI assistant designed specifically for group admins, aimed at simplifying tasks such as content moderation.
Financial analysts view this app as a potential competitor to Reddit, resulting in a more than 5% decline in Reddit’s stock value. it is important to note that the user demographics of the two platforms are quite different. It remains uncertain whether Forum will significantly attract users away from Reddit.
This isn’t Meta’s first foray into creating its own versions of popular apps or features. In 2023, the company launched Threads, a competitor to Twitter, and recently introduced Instants, an Instagram app designed to emulate the success of Snapchat and BeReal by providing instant, disappearing photos.
Interestingly, Meta launched this app with minimal publicity. There was no significant announcement or press release; the app simply appeared on the App Store, catching the attention of some observant users. This prompts the question: could this be the beginning of a wave of AI-driven applications that CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted at in conversations with employees?
Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported on a comprehensive meeting where Zuckerberg discussed Meta’s AI transformation, which has been cited as a reason for a severe round of layoffs. In this meeting, Zuckerberg highlighted the productivity improvements derived from integrating AI into various workflows and expressed optimism about the company’s capacity to launch numerous new projects. Among these initiatives, he indicated that creating more apps is a priority.
“We’ve been discussing with Chris [Cox, Meta’s chief product officer] about the potential to develop 50 new apps. It’s feasible,” Zuckerberg reportedly stated. “However, we should probably start with a few before attempting to ramp up to 50 all at once.”
Daniel Mercer
