Reconnecting with old friends and keeping up with family—it's often the first app people think of. One of the world's largest social networks for posts, groups, video, and Marketplace; free to use and ad-supported.
Site Info
- Official domain
- www.facebook.com
- Operator
- Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Launch date
- February 2004
- Pricing
- Free with ads
- Languages
- English, Simplified Chinese, and 110 more
- Last updated
- August 28, 2026
Site Introduction
The social network with the largest user base in the world, launched in 2004 and now owned by Meta.
Post status updates, add friends, join groups, browse Marketplace — one account for socializing, shopping, and watching videos.
Core Features
1. Feed and social connections
Add friends, post updates, like, comment, and share; the News Feed algorithmically recommends content you may be interested in. There are also Stories (temporary posts) and Reels (short videos), similar to Instagram and TikTok.
2. Groups and Pages
Groups are for interest-based communities, local mutual aid, and industry exchanges. Pages are for brands, creators, and small businesses to publish content, reply to messages, and manage community operations without mixing with a personal account.
3. Marketplace and local services
Facebook Marketplace lets you post second-hand items, rentals, and local service information for free, with buyers and sellers communicating through Messenger. The Events feature allows you to create events and invite friends.
4. Meta AI and creation tools
Meta AI is integrated into Facebook: AI conversation, web search, free AI image generation, photo editing, video montage, and more. In 2026, AI Mode search was also introduced, with answers drawn from real user public discussions on the platform rather than just a list of links.
Pricing Model
Individual users: free.
Registering an account, adding friends, posting, joining groups, using Marketplace, and watching Reels are all free. Ads will appear in pages and the feed.
Optional paid subscriptions:
| Product | Reference price (US) | Main benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Verified (individual) | Web $11.99/month, App $14.99/month | Blue check verification, impersonation protection, priority support, search optimization |
| Meta Verified Business | Four tiers: Standard / Plus / Premium / Max, varies by region and account | Business blue check, brand protection, Reels links, enhanced page, etc. |
| Facebook Plus | About $3.99/month | Personalized homepage and feed customization (under Meta One system in 2026) |
| Meta One Plus (AI) | About $7.99/month | Higher AI computing quota (testing in some regions) |
| Meta One Premium (AI) | About $19.99/month | Higher AI quota + deep reasoning mode |
Pricing may change; refer to the website: https://www.facebook.com/
Comparison with Similar Platforms
Unique advantages
- Largest user base globally — billions of monthly active users; unmatched coverage for finding old classmates, local buying and selling, and overseas Chinese communities.
- Strong Groups + Pages combination — private communities and public brand pages can be connected, and community operation tools are more mature than pure short-video platforms.
- Meta ecosystem interoperability — accounts are linked with Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, making cross-app reach low-cost.
Practical highlights
- Marketplace for local second-hand and rentals is often more active than dedicated apps in many regions.
- Meta AI free image generation (official info) lets you edit images and make memes without opening another app.
Objective limitations
- Young user attrition — Gen Z prefers TikTok and Instagram; Facebook has an image of being for "older generations."
- Algorithmic feed controversy — the timeline is not purely chronological, and sometimes you can't see posts from people you follow.
- Fragmented paid subscriptions — Verified, Plus, and AI subscriptions are separate and can add up.
Similar tool comparison
| Comparison item | TikTok | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | General social network | Visual social with photos + Reels | Short-video focused |
| Free? | Basic features free | Basic features free | Basic features free |
| Core content | Feed, Groups, Marketplace | Reels, Stories, photos | Short-video algorithm feed |
| User age | 25+, family/local communities | 18–34 | Gen Z |
| Monetization | Ads, Pages, Meta Verified | Ads, creator tools, shopping | Ads, live commerce, creator fund |
| Private communities | Groups mature | Broadcast channels, Close Friends | Weaker fan groups |
| Main weakness | Outdated UI, fewer young users | Visually focused, weaker deep discussions | Fewer long-form and community tools |
FAQ
Q1: Do I need to pay to register on Facebook?
No. Registration with an email or phone number is completely free. Only advanced features like Meta Verified, Facebook Plus, and high-frequency Meta AI require a subscription.
Q2: What is the relationship between Facebook and Instagram?
Both are products under Meta. You can use a Meta account to log in across both, but content and friend lists are not automatically synced. Many brands operate both platforms simultaneously.
Q3: Is the Meta Verified blue check worth buying?
If you are a creator or small business who needs impersonation protection, increased credibility, and priority support, $11.99/month (web price) is worth considering. For ordinary users just socializing, it's not necessary.
Q4: Is Meta AI free?
Basic AI conversation, search, and image generation are free. Starting in 2026, Thinking mode and high-frequency video/image generation have usage limits on the free tier, and heavy users may need to subscribe to Meta One Plus (about $7.99/month).
Q5: How do I use Facebook Groups?
Search for topics you're interested in and join, or create your own Group and invite people. Groups can be public, private, or hidden, suitable for interest communities, alumni groups, and industry exchanges. Admins can moderate posts and set rules.
Q6: Is Marketplace safe?
The platform provides reporting and messaging systems, but risks of offline transactions are your own responsibility. It is recommended to meet in person locally, avoid paying through unknown links, and check the seller's account history and reviews.
