Meta

Meta is a term with multiple uses. In linguistics and information science, meta- is a prefix from Greek meaning beyond, after, or self-referential. It is used to describe content that comments on its own format or context, such as metadata (data about data) or meta-fiction (fiction about fiction). In everyday language, meta can refer to self-referential or self-aware aspects of media or discussion.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is an American technology company, formerly known as Facebook, Inc. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and several college colleagues to operate the social networking site Facebook. The company expanded through acquisitions including Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. In 2021, it rebranded to Meta Platforms, Inc. to reflect a broader focus on immersive technologies and the concept of the metaverse. The headquarters are in Menlo Park, California, and the company trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker META.

Core products and services include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, along with the Oculus line of virtual reality headsets, marketed under the Meta Quest brand. The company derives most of its revenue from digital advertising while also developing hardware, software, and platforms related to augmented and virtual reality as part of its metaverse strategy. Meta operates globally and has significant influence on social networking, digital communication, and online advertising.

Meta has faced regulatory and public scrutiny related to privacy, data handling, competition, content moderation, and impacts on political discourse, leading to investigations and policy debates in multiple jurisdictions.