This paper provides an overview of the history of Facebook from 2021 through the present. It presents the broadest picture to the user about Facebook as it was then presented to a new user, this is the all-encompassing available semiotic and interactive elements (e.g., blog, wall, feeds, commercials, etc.). The paper’s focus is on the more visible aspects of how Facebook has evolved since its founding. It traces the evolution of user behavior, the emergence of commercial and noncommercial uses for Facebook, and the different ways users have monetized Facebook.
Prior to the release of Facebook in the public market, the company had already formed several partnerships and joint ventures with several major companies, such as Dell, Nike, Viacom, Microsoft, and Zynga. These partnerships provided Facebook with new means to monetize the network. In the first months after its launch, Facebook attracted hundreds of millions of new users. Over the course of the next year, as this site became more popular, and especially after the formation of its social networking platform New York, Facebook’s revenue increased tenfold to reach over one billion dollars.
However, because Facebook offers a free service, it enticed many non-tech-savvy users to become media consumers. As such, Facebook faced tough competition not only from traditional media like newspapers and television, but from new forms of media emerging around the world. As traditional media organizations like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal sought to publish original online articles, Facebook quickly became the target of content producers looking to publish their own blogs or content. With the proliferation of media producing users, Facebook faced a major crisis.
Although Facebook was able to overcome this crisis, the social network still faces other problems. Many of the users associated with the site are dissatisfied with the commercialization of the site. Because of the large number of advertisements appearing on user’s profiles, some users feel as if Facebook has become a commercial site, in effect, selling advertising to its users. This issue has been compounded by the way that some advertisers have exploited the sharing capabilities of the site to send commercial messages to Facebook users.
To remedy these problems, Facebook has attempted to address its commercialization problems through an update known as “The Fair Ads Program.” This update attempts to limit the amount of commercial content that can appear on users’ profiles. Currently, the company is tracking user activities to determine which advertisements appear on which profiles, allowing Facebook users to make choices about the content they want to see on their profile pages. In addition, the company is experimenting with other ways to curb commercial activity, including blocking advertisers from purchasing space on user profiles. This is in addition to the current program of limited commercial advertisements appearing on user profiles.
Although the history of Facebook may seem monotonous at first glance, it actually chronicles the evolution of a media giant into one of the leading social network platforms around the world. Social media like Facebook was initially founded as a way for university students to communicate; today, this social network has transformed into a portal for anyone to express themselves. Whether you’re a college student, an employee, a teenager, or a senior citizen, the history of Facebook is something that any person should be aware of. Through the social network, individuals are able to interact with each other and connect with people from all over the globe. The recent commercial expansion of Facebook only further illustrates its importance to the global community. If you want to stay up to date with the most recent developments, follow the history of Facebook.
