[Facebook](https://doctorparadox.net/category/technology/facebook/), founded by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates on February 4, 2004, began as a Harvard-only social network before expanding to other Ivy League universities and eventually to the general public. Originally named "TheFacebook," it rapidly evolved into a global social networking behemoth, redefining how people connect and communicate online. Through continuous innovation and strategic acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp, Facebook has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape even beyond [social media](https://doctorparadox.net/tag/social-media/), impacting everything from individual social interactions to global politics and business. Over the years, Facebook has introduced a plethora of features that have significantly influenced online culture and behavior, including the News Feed, Timeline, and the universally recognized "Like" button. The platform's expansion into advertising, virtual reality, and [[artificial intelligence (AI)]] further underscores its ambition to lead in technological advancements. Despite facing numerous challenges, including privacy scandals and regulatory scrutiny, Facebook's rebranding to Meta Platforms Inc. in 2021 marks its ambitious pivot towards building the "metaverse," aiming to create interconnected virtual experiences using VR and AR technologies. This timeline captures the major milestones and transformations that highlight Facebook's journey from a college networking site to a dominant tech giant that blankets well over half the planet. | Year | Event | |------|-------| | 2004 | Mark Zuckerberg launches Facebook on February 4, originally as "TheFacebook," from his Harvard dorm room. | | 2005 | Facebook introduces the 'Photos' feature, without any tagging or privacy settings initially. | | 2006 | Facebook opens to anyone aged 13 and over with a valid email address on September 26. | | 2007 | Facebook introduces the News Feed, radically changing how content is distributed and consumed on the platform. | | 2008 | Sheryl Sandberg joins Facebook as Chief Operating Officer. Facebook also introduces the Facebook Chat feature. | | 2009 | Facebook introduces the "Like" button, significantly influencing user interaction on the platform. | | 2010 | The Social Network, a film about Facebook’s founding, is released. Facebook also launches Facebook Places to compete with Foursquare. | | 2011 | Facebook introduces the Timeline feature, a major redesign of the user profile. | | 2012 | Facebook holds its initial public offering (IPO) on May 18, one of the biggest in technology history. Facebook acquires Instagram for approximately $1 billion in April. | | 2013 | Facebook introduces Graph Search, allowing users to search within their social graphs for content. | | 2014 | Facebook acquires WhatsApp for $19 billion in February, its largest acquisition to date. Facebook also launches Facebook Audience Network, extending its advertising capabilities. | | 2015 | Facebook hits 1 billion users in a single day on August 24. | | 2016 | Facebook hits 1 billion users on Messenger. Facebook also introduces Facebook Live. | | 2017 | Facebook reaches 2 billion monthly active users in June. | | 2018 | The Cambridge Analytica scandal breaks, raising serious concerns about privacy and data usage. | | 2019 | Facebook announces plans for Libra, a cryptocurrency initiative, which later gets renamed to Diem. | | 2020 | Facebook launches Facebook Shops to integrate e-commerce directly into the platform. It also introduces Facebook Rooms as a response to the surge in video conferencing demand. | | 2021 | Facebook rebrands as Meta Platforms Inc., signaling a shift towards building the metaverse. The company also launches Horizon Workrooms, a virtual reality meeting space. |