When Did Facebook Start?

Facebook, one of the largest and most influential social media platforms in the world, was launched on February 4, 2004. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg along with his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, all of whom were students at Harvard University. The initial concept was to create a platform that would connect students at Harvard, and subsequently it expanded to other universities and eventually to the general public.

Facebook was originally called TheFacebook and was launched on February 4, 2004. The name TheFacebook derived from the common face book directories provided to American university students. The platform was created by Zuckerberg and his colleagues, all of whom brought unique talents and skills to the project. They aimed to create a digital platform that would serve as a modern version of the traditional face book directories.

Expansion and Name Change

After a successful launch at Harvard, the platform was expanded to include other colleges and universities in the Boston area and then to the Ivy League and other institutions in the United States and Canada. By August 2005, the name was officially changed to Facebook. Initially, the membership was restricted to Harvard students, but it quickly opened up to include students from other universities and eventually, the general public. In 2006, Facebook was made available to anyone with a valid email address, with an age requirement of 13 or older. By 2021, Facebook had grown to have nearly 3 billion users worldwide.

The expansion of Facebook was marked by a series of strategic moves, including:

Promotion through word-of-mouth and university events Integration with popular web services and other social media networks Targeted advertising and content optimization for user engagement Continuous improvements in platform features and user experience

Facebook Today

Today, Facebook is one of the largest and most popular social media networks globally. It has become a crucial platform for communication, information sharing, and online social interaction. The company has also diversified its offerings to include other products such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, further solidifying its position in the digital landscape.

The success of Facebook is a testament to the power of innovation, networking, and user-centric design. While the platform has faced challenges and controversies over the years, its impact on modern communication and social interaction is undeniable. As Facebook continues to evolve, it remains a significant force in the digital world, shaping the way we connect, share, and interact with each other online.

References

[1] Wikipedia: History of Facebook [2] Infomaster: History of Facebook