Forum: Meta’s New Reddit-Like App Unveiled

Meta has quietly introduced a new application named Forum, aimed specifically at enhancing the experience within Facebook Groups. Initially discovered by Matt Navarra of Geekout Newsletter, Forum is available on the App Store and is described as “a dedicated space for the conversations that matter most to you.” This app positions itself as a platform for users to gain “real answers” from “real people,” suggesting functionality akin to Reddit. 

To access Forum, users must have a Facebook account, which allows them to maintain their profile and activity seamlessly after logging in with their credentials. Unlike anonymous platforms such as Reddit, users can utilize anonymized usernames, but administrators will still have access to their true identities.

Forum’s interface diverges significantly from the traditional Facebook feed. Instead of a mixed collection of posts from friends, followed Pages, and algorithmically suggested content, Forum curates conversations exclusively from the user’s Groups. Upon first logging in, users are prompted to specify their interests, which will likely influence the posts they see from other Groups aligned with those interests. Content shared within Forum will remain visible on the main Facebook app, and vice versa, enabling a fluid transition between conversations across both platforms.

This launch marks another attempt by Meta to create an app focused on Groups. Previously, the company released a standalone Groups app during its early days as Facebook, which was ultimately discontinued in 2017. The new Forum app incorporates advanced AI features to enhance user experience. One such feature, “Ask,” allows users to receive answers from across multiple Groups, eliminating the need to comb through each one individually for information. an admin assistant feature is available to aid moderators in managing their Groups. When inquired about the app, Meta confirmed that it remains in the testing phase. A company spokesperson stated, “We test lots of new products publicly to see what people find interesting and useful to their experiences across our apps.”