New Delhi: Meta has launched a new app, Forum, which is a Facebook Groups-based standalone platform for community conversations. The app was accidentally
released by Apple without an official announcement and was discovered by Geekout Newsletter founder Matt Navarra. Forum’s App Store description states it is “a place where you can converse about what matters to you”. It is definitely discussion-centric.
The app’s launch coincides with the growing popularity of web community websites such as Reddit for topic-based discussions and suggestions, illustrating yet once again that Meta is attempting to grow online neighbourhoods. Unlike the main Facebook app, which displays a blend of post content from friends, Pages, Groups and Facebook’s algorithmic suggestions, the Facebook Forum only focuses on group conversations.
Separate space for Facebook group discussions
The forum will be built around Facebook login, which means users’ old profiles, groups and activities will be brought over into the new app. The platform will not be anonymous, like Reddit, but will allow users to join anonymously under a Facebook group username, which is now possible. But group admins will still be able to see the true identities of users, Meta says.
The app’s feed is optimised for discussions in a user’s groups instead of Facebook in general. When setting up an account, Forum also asks what type of posts they’d like to see more of, which could imply that it will suggest posts from other groups with similar interests. With Forum you can also post to your main Facebook app to switch easily between the two.
Meta revives its groups-first strategy
Meta’s latest effort to develop a standalone groups platform isn’t its first. At one time, before the name change, Facebook released a separate Groups app, but this was discontinued in 2017. The new Forum app seems to be taking a re-take on that idea, but with a more contemporary, community-engagement and AI-centric twist.
Meta says the new feature in Forum is an AI-powered “Ask” functionality that can search through conversations across multiple groups for answers so users can quickly find relevant content without having to scroll through all the conversations themselves. The app also features an AI assistant for moderators, which can support the admins in making their communities more efficient.
Meta says the app is still being tested
However, in response to the app, Meta said Forum is currently undergoing public testing. Meta responded by saying in a statement to media outlets that it has been testing new products in the past to gain insight into what its users value on its platforms.
As technology firms shift their attention to community-generated content and AI-driven experiences, the gentle debut of Forum marks a new era of greater efficiency and accessibility. As tech firms turn to community content and AI experiences, Forum’s quiet debut signals the era of enhanced efficiency and accessibility. It’s yet to be seen whether Forum will become a product that lasts for a long time or yet another experiment from Meta.
