1. History and Founding
Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc., was founded in
2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates at Harvard
University. Initially focused on social networking, it rapidly grew
into a global platform connecting billions of users.
In 2021, Facebook Inc. rebranded as Meta Platforms Inc. to reflect its
ambition to build the Metaverse, a virtual space where users interact
through VR and AR technologies.
2. Sector and Industry
Meta operates in the technology sector, particularly in:
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
- Virtual Reality (Oculus)
- Augmented Reality (Spark AR)
- Advertising (Meta Ads Platform)
3. Revenue Streams – How Meta Makes Money
-
Advertising – The primary source, from Facebook, Instagram, and
WhatsApp ads.
- Hardware Sales – Oculus VR headsets and accessories.
-
Subscription Services – Including Workplace and other business
tools.
4. Competitive Advantage & Strengths
-
Massive User Base – Billions of users across Facebook, Instagram,
and WhatsApp.
-
Advertising Dominance – Targeted advertising powered by vast data.
- Investments in AR/VR – Leading the charge into the Metaverse.
5. Risks & Challenges
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Privacy Concerns – Growing scrutiny over data collection and privacy
practices.
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Reputation Management – Dealing with misinformation and user
backlash.
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High R&D Costs – Investments in the Metaverse are expensive and
long-term.
6. Future Growth Opportunities
- Metaverse Expansion – Building immersive virtual experiences.
-
AR/VR Innovations – Bringing mixed reality to mainstream users.
-
Monetizing WhatsApp and Instagram – Further ad and e-commerce
integration.
