Meta quietly launches a new Reddit-like app called Forum
TechCrunch • • general
Key Points:
- Meta has quietly launched a new standalone app called "Forum," designed as a dedicated space for Facebook Groups to facilitate deeper discussions and community engagement, similar to Reddit.
- Users sign in with their Facebook accounts, can post with nicknames, and content shared on Forum remains visible within corresponding Facebook Groups.
- Forum features an AI-powered "Ask" tab for question-and-answer interactions across groups and an AI assistant to help group admins manage and moderate content.
- This release follows Meta's previous attempt at a standalone Groups app (2014-2017) and is part of a broader strategy to rapidly develop new apps, including the recently launched Instants app for sharing disappearing photos.
- Despite Meta's push for more apps, critics note that many new releases, including Forum and Instants, resemble existing popular platforms, raising questions about consumer demand for Meta's expanding app portfolio.