We have to admit, Facebook has been a dominant force in social media for over a decade, but with the rise of new platforms and changing user habits, many are questioning its future. Younger generations are gravitating towards platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older users continue to make up the core of Facebook’s audience. You could say that Facebook has matured over the years since it was originally developed for kids. Add to that growing concerns about privacy, declining user trust, and regulatory pressures, and it raises the question: How much longer can Facebook stay relevant?

 

A few statistics to consider:

 

• According to data from 2023, Facebook still had 2.91 billion monthly active users worldwide, but its growth is slowing in key markets like North America and Europe.
  
• In the U.S., Facebook’s user base declined by 3% in 2022, with younger audiences (especially Gen Z) showing far less interest in the platform.
  
• Over 60% of teenagers in the U.S. said they prefer TikTok over Facebook, and Facebook ranks lower in popularity compared to Instagram and Snapchat for users under 25.
  

As more people turn to newer platforms and concerns about Facebook’s handling of data privacy persist, it’s worth asking: how much longer will Facebook continue to dominate, or will it fade into the background?

 

Questions to discuss:

 

• Do you think Facebook can reinvent itself to appeal to younger users, or will its audience continue to age?
  
• How do you see Facebook adapting in the face of rising competition from newer, more dynamic platforms?
  
• Could regulatory changes or ongoing controversies be the final straw that leads to Facebook’s decline?
  
• What role, if any, will Facebook play in the future of social media?
  

Feel free to hare your thoughts on Facebook’s future. Is it still a social media giant, or are its best days behind it?

Where I live, most people are on Facebook. Especially adults and retired people. (Teenagers don't use it as much it seems) And it's an absolute shithole. It's unbelievable how rude and retarded people are on there. No matter what you're looking at, don't open the comment section, man. You're going to see grown adults say stuff you wouldn't imagine.

 

15 years ago, still in my area, the Facebook crowd was slightly younger. Yeah, it was already pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as it is now.

 

I wouldn't complain if Facebook was to vanish. The only thing I'd miss would be Messenger, but hey, another app will take over, just like Messenger did when Microsoft killed MSN/Live Messenger.

Facebook is still relevant? Say it ain't so! 😬

 

Besides, I thought it would've vanished to thin air over the Cambridge Analytica scandal years ago...

Where I live, most people are on Facebook. Especially adults and retired people. (Teenagers don't use it as much it seems) And it's an absolute shithole. It's unbelievable how rude and retarded people are on there. No matter what you're looking at, don't open the comment section, man. You're going to see grown adults say stuff you wouldn't imagine.

 

15 years ago, still in my area, the Facebook crowd was slightly younger. Yeah, it was already pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as it is now.

 

I wouldn't complain if Facebook was to vanish. The only thing I'd miss would be Messenger, but hey, another app will take over, just like Messenger did when Microsoft killed MSN/Live Messenger.

I completely agree. It's shocking how often you encounter really toxic comments on Facebook, especially towards people seeking advice or help. It seems like some people never face any consequences for their behavior and continue to be as toxic as ever. It's as if this kind of negativity is becoming normalized, with more and more people joining in and making it worse.

 

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Facebook disappeared, as long as I could retrieve my photos before it does. As for Messenger, there are definitely better alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram, though both of those have their downsides too.

there are definitely better alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram

Telegram is only good for Putin sympathisers and general cyber criminals but... I wouldn't even touch it with an iron pole for those reasons.

Telegram is only good for Putin sympathisers and general cyber criminals but... I wouldn't even touch it with an iron pole for those reasons.

Well yes, you need to be more careful. But their UIX is great, I love it.

Yeah, Telegram and WhatsApp are 2 great examples of contending DM apps. Both apps work great, but everyone I know is using Messenger. So I'm forced to use it too! That's too bad!

 

There's also Discord, which has a whole different flavor. Gotta say though, it's probably the closest (IMO) to MSN Messenger when it comes to 1 on 1 direct messaging. It's simple, fast and it has a great UI. To put things into perspective, well, even my mom loves it! LOL

I tried Facebook on about 5 different occasions and either deleted or deactivated my account every time I used it. I feel like many people on social media seek instant gratification and validation through the use of likes, and comments that praise them, and use them as a popularity contest. I even felt like I sought instant gratification when I used Facebook. Many social media sites are massive, so you are more likely to run into toxicity, trolling, flaming, and more.

 

If Facebook starts to cater to an older audience, it may continue to do so as people grow older. I don't necessarily see it going away. I think if a majority of the younger generations prefer other social media sites then it may continue to see a decline in activity because more younger generations are often attracted to the masses that social media vibe gives off. They seem more likely to "follow the crowd" than older people.

Facebook is still relevant? Say it ain't so! 😬

 

Besides, I thought it would've vanished to thin air over the Cambridge Analytica scandal years ago...

They also got caught sharing messages with Netflix.

“By 2013, Netflix had begun entering into a series of “Facebook Extended API” agreements, including a so-called “Inbox API” agreement that allowed Netflix programmatic access to Facebook’s users' private message inboxes, in exchange for which Netflix would “provide to FB a written report every two weeks that shows daily counts of recommendation sends and recipient clicks by interface, initiation surface, and/or implementation variant (e.g., Facebook vs. non-Facebook recommendation recipients). ... In August 2013, Facebook provided Netflix with access to its so-called “Titan API,” a private API that allowed a whitelisted partner to access, among other things, Facebook users' “messaging app and non-app friends."

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/03/netflix-ad-spend-led-to-facebook-dm-access-end-of-facebook-streaming-biz-lawsuit/

I use Facebook for two things.

 

1) I use it to keep in touch with family and friends who live overseas or elsewhere in the country.

2) I use it to promote my projects. There's a huge audience to be leveraged.

 

I don't see it becoming irrelevant any time soon. People are disinterested in the politics behind Facebook. Scandals and things are generally ignored by the general Facebook populace. It's the same as when Musk took over Twitter. Sure, there was some raised eyebrows, but most Twitter users just don't give enough of a shit.

You could say that Facebook has matured over the years since it was originally developed for kids.

Facebook and the users might've physically matured, but they have the same mentality as when they joined.

Add to that growing concerns about privacy, declining user trust

I will trust Signal over Messenger for encrypted messaging because of

 

This:

 

Cambridge Analytica scandal years ago...

And this:

By 2013, Netflix had begun entering into a series of “Facebook Extended API” agreements

Even if it's owned by

Putin

himself.

 

That's how little I trust Facebook.

 

• How do you see Facebook adapting in the face of rising competition from newer, more dynamic platforms?
  

Simple. By copying them. They've already made an attempt to copy Twitter with Threads after Elon bought it. Prior to that, it was copying TikTok with Reels and I think disappearing messages copied from Snapchat too. They can no longer innovate, they can only copy or buy.

 

Where's their talent team?

No matter what you're looking at, don't open the comment section, man.

What are you talking about? I pass the time in the comments section of some group's posts. They make the post 1000x funnier. 🤣

It must be doing well.

 

I earn performance bonuses from them for my hiking/outdoor brand.

 

Some of the bonuses are big - over $1K a month.

 

I have 20K followers on my page and 46K members on my group.

Facebook and the users might've physically matured, but they have the same mentality as when they joined.

 

I will trust Signal over Messenger for encrypted messaging because of

 

This:

 

 

And this:

 

Even if it's owned by

 

himself.

 

That's how little I trust Facebook.

 

Simple. By copying them. They've already made an attempt to copy Twitter with Threads after Elon bought it. Prior to that, it was copying TikTok with Reels and I think disappearing messages copied from Snapchat too. They can no longer innovate, they can only copy or buy.

 

Where's their talent team?

 

What are you talking about? I pass the time in the comments section of some group's posts. They make the post 1000x funnier. 🤣

Facebook doesn’t know how to innovate anymore lmao.

 

They’re known for copying ideas and stealing other companies concepts.

 

They’re doing the same thing now with their Threads app.🤣

Facebook doesn’t know how to innovate anymore lmao.

 

They’re known for copying ideas and stealing other companies concepts.

 

They’re doing the same thing now with their Threads app.🤣

They've been fairly successful stealing ideas form others, though. LOL

They've been fairly successful stealing ideas form others, though. LOL

They're good at copying. But, are they good at user retention? I believe Threads reported something like 275 million users. However, what formula are they using for that? Did they pump Instagram accounts into it? Does viewing a Threads post from a Facebook feed include them as a Threads user? I don't trust that number.

 

I'm probably going to enter a long-term short in Meta as I believe they have peaked and there is no more innovation for growth.

I’m not sure much of FB ever did was innovative per se. Functional, iterative, but very little actual originality. But it was executed well.

 

As for relevance, their monthly revenue seems to imply it’s still relevant. Sadly.

They're good at copying. But, are they good at user retention? I believe Threads reported something like 275 million users. However, what formula are they using for that? Did they pump Instagram accounts into it? Does viewing a Threads post from a Facebook feed include them as a Threads user? I don't trust that number.

 

I'm probably going to enter a long-term short in Meta as I believe they have peaked and there is no more innovation for growth.

I'm sure you're right.

 

The bigger picture is they're not doing well.

 

But for the standard user, myself, my page and community are doing well.

 

I have several large FB groups that are not on the decline. I have a growing page that nears a million impressions a month and keeps rising, and I am still earning pretty big ad and performance bonuses from them. I figure once the money starts decreasing, I'll know Facebook is on the decline because I really pay attention to engagement rates on my page and groups.

 

Nonetheless, I know Facebook is a rented space. I've continued to try to convert followers and fans to my newsletter, where I have access to the contact list. FB is a great tool but should never be the main product.

 

I wish I had started my group on a forum first. I've tried to convert, but it's not been promising. I have a group with 47,000 members. It's very active, too. That would look good on a forum!

Personally from my observation, I don't think Facebook is ever going away. It's still the king of social media platforms. Even with all the new social media sites coming out, none of them have what it takes to beat Facebook.

I honestly think Facebooks popularity is on the downswing. I closed my account over a year ago. Many of my friends had done the same before me. My family in Germany and I have moved to snapchat for keeping in touch.

 

It changed so much. Too many ads and things in the timeline from people you don't know.

I honestly think Facebooks popularity is on the downswing. I closed my account over a year ago. Many of my friends had done the same before me. My family in Germany and I have moved to snapchat for keeping in touch.

 

It changed so much. Too many ads and things in the timeline from people you don't know.

Snapchat is an interesting choice compared to Facebook. How did you end up on Snapchat?

Snapchat is an interesting choice compared to Facebook. How did you end up on Snapchat?

Don't know really. One day my Uncle set me a request and that sort of started it. For all the other stuff, filters and such, snapchat at its core is a great tool for communication.

 

We had used Skype. Microsoft sort of messed it up when they acquired it.

very little, more and more people stop using Facebook and prefer to use other social networks, Instagram is the most popular currently, the second is YouTube (although it is not considered a social network as such) and the third is twitter) I feel that the only salvation for Facebook is that Elon Musk buys it but in my opinion Mark did everything wrong on Facebook, I feel that he has little time left, the only thing that saves him is "marketplace" where people use it a lot to buy and sell, If not for that reason almost no one uses it

very little, more and more people stop using Facebook and prefer to use other social networks, Instagram is the most popular currently, the second is YouTube (although it is not considered a social network as such) and the third is twitter) I feel that the only salvation for Facebook is that Elon Musk buys it but in my opinion Mark did everything wrong on Facebook, I feel that he has little time left, the only thing that saves him is "marketplace" where people use it a lot to buy and sell, If not for that reason almost no one uses it

Lmao. Meta would never sell

facebook to Musk.😂

 

Their platforms are worth a lot more his companies. I think Zuckerburk might have more money than Musk one some days.

 

Meta would die rapidly if Musk “bought it”.

I think we might see a huge decline in Facebook use. Already Zuckerberg change moderation policies for a specific group of minorities and also removed fact checking. I rarely hop on Facebook due to the changes myself because I'm part of the minority they're allowing discrimination against now which is absolutely ridiculous that this is happening in 2025 but it's due to the political landscape. I hope it'll be sooner than later that Facebook will fall and more people will move to alternate platforms. MySpace was much better than Facebook, but sometime in the late 00s we all moved over to Facebook. I hope a forum renaissance will happen soon, so many people are starting to see that these bigger platforms are garbage and are moving to Bluesky and Fediverse versions of popular social media websites.

I never really got the Facebook thing. Sure I have read posts on there, but bots, ads, and trolls kinda just made it hard to consider signing up. I just have a hard time justifying signing up to every single social media platform that I come across. (excluding forums run by actual people). Sure I see that limits me in the effort of pushing my site out there, but I just cant do it only for that reason. As a note, I don't use SM to keep in touch with friends and family.