Meta quietly releases a new Reddit-like app called Forum

Jakarta – The technology giant Meta has quietly launched a new standalone app for Facebook Groups called Forum. The Forum app bears similarities to Reddit’s digital discussion forums as it is described as a space for in-depth discussions. TechCrunch reported on Friday (22/5) that Meta’s Forum first appeared to a social-media consultant Matt Navarra. The Forum app can be used after users sign in with their Facebook account. Thereafter, users will be able to access information about groups, profiles, and activity. Users can also create posts under a nickname, a familiar activity similar to the standard Facebook app. Meta says Forum’s features are centred on conversations within groups, allowing users to see “what people are actually saying, not just what’s trending”. The app is believed to make it easier for users to pick up conversations where they left off. The app includes an AI-based ‘Ask’ tab that lets users ask questions and receive answers gathered from discussions across various groups. There is also an AI admin assistant to aid administrators in managing groups and moderating content. This is not Meta’s first standalone app for groups. In 2014, the company launched a dedicated Groups app aimed at making it easier for users to share content across groups, but the app did not continue beyond 2017. Forum is one of two new Meta apps in recent weeks. Last month the social-networking company also launched a new app called Instants. Through Instants, users can share photos more naturally with their Instagram friends. Instants and Forum arrive amid Meta’s broader push to release more apps. The social media giant now aims to launch more apps than ever before. Referring to Meta’s Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, Zuckerberg has even asked him to create at least 50 new apps. Meta may think consumers want more apps, but that is probably not the issue, especially when the new apps largely copy other popular services. Instants, for example, borrows ideas from BeReal and Snapchat. There is also Meta Edits, launched last year, largely a copy of ByteDance’s CapCut. Meta has not yet issued an official comment regarding the existence of the Forum app.