Facebook Plans to Rebrand
Unconfirmed information has surfaced that Facebook is looking to rebrand. If true, we should know more details soon. It may have something to do with planned expansion into a metaverse.
- Facebook and a name change? Can you imagine that? But as the rumor goes - it is possible.
Unconfirmed news has emerged that Facebook is planning to change the name of its company. The rebranding is said to be related to targeting growth into a metaverse. The new name could shed new light on Facebook - helping it to be perceived as more than just a social media. It is possible that Mark Zuckerberg will confirm this rumor at the upcoming annual Connect conference on October 28.
Metaverses are virtual worlds where people are expected to spend more time and even work in them. It is now a major part of Facebook's plans to be one of the pillars of creating this reality. To make this possible, the giant plans to hire 10 thousand people in Europe. The metaverse emphasizes augmented reality, and VR headset manufacturer Oculus is also a Facebook brand.
"We'll stop being seen as a primarily social media company and become a metaverse company," said Mark Zuckerberg.
The new name, if it exists at all, is a closely guarded secret. The Verge speculates that it may have something to do with the Horizon Worlds VR platform, developed by the Facebook and Oculus teams. However, these are just speculations. For confirmation we have to wait a few more days.
A new name combined with a change of direction or character of the company is nothing special. In 2015, Google united its companies under Alphabet Inc. Perhaps something similar is planned by Facebook - to combine its other brands, such as Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, under one common name. Rebranding can also be a good way to get rid of bad PR, which Facebook has not been lacking lately.
Suffice it to mention the current scandal related to the person of website's former employee Frances Haugen and allegations of "sweeping under the rug" problems with the bad influence of Instagram on minors, as well as fueling negative public sentiment. Facebook is also on targeted by many antitrust organizations.
