Facebook once again has come in the spotlight with the biggest rebranding story of 2021 – changing its name from Facebook to Meta or Metaverse.
On Thursday, Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook changes name to Meta or Meta Platforms.
With the announcement of the new name, Zuckerberg said, “Today we are seen as a social media company, but in our DNA we are a company that builds technology to connect people, and the metaverse is the next frontier just like social networking was when we got started.”
But, Netizens and Trolls have had a field day over the new Facebook changes name. Facebook’s newest rebranding has now become the latest trending meme and even Twitter has followed suit.
the only #META we acknowledge is this:https://t.co/HalSMZt8L5
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) October 28, 2021
Some other memes that went viral are:
Before the actual name change, Benzinga asked the Twitterverse to suggest some names. Subsequently, the Twitterati delivered. Here are some of the ‘friendly’ suggestions that people came up with:
- PeepingTom
- Boomer Hub
- FaceZuck
- Fakenews
- ShitBook
- TimeWaster
- MySpace2.0
- Misinformation Fact Check Media Outlet
- The Zucczone
- 2 Face 1 Book
- SpyBook
Even Twitter CEO trolled Facebook suggesting a name change to ‘Central Intelligence Corporation.’
Some other memes that went viral are:
Facebook after changing it's company name:#Meta #Metaverse pic.twitter.com/9uGonsMszL
— StrategySoda (@SodaStrategy) October 29, 2021
How to solve a business problem:
Simply change the name #Meta pic.twitter.com/BfJGGPI2ZS
— adeen ✌ ✨ (@ade_af_) October 28, 2021
Next comes the major question –
Because of this change in the brand name, will there be changes in the other platforms apps like Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp?
Not at all.
While the company will be changing its platform name, it will not affect the other apps that are being used. There have been no announcements regarding changes in features, or layouts and the user guidelines have remained the same. In fact, Facebook-owned apps such as Instagram and Whatsapp will not even include the word ‘meta’ in them.
Then, why the change?
It is because Mark Zuckerberg does not want Facebook to be limited to a social media company. The brand is now shifting its focus to become a technology company with newer products and applications under its umbrella.
In his founder’s letter, Zuckerberg stated that the new Meta platform will be more immersive, where users can do anything that they can imagine. He commented that users can now get together in the ‘Metaverse’ with friends, and family to work, learn, shop, play or create anything they want on the Meta platform.
He also revealed his plans to include cryptocurrency and NFT in the platform and to prioritize the privacy and security of users.
But, critics feel that the move comes after a series of negative issues that cropped up for Facebook, based on the whistleblowing incident by an ex-employee.
So, here’s a few reasons why Facebook’s changes name might not catch on with people:
- The move looks very dubious especially in a time where Facebook is plagued with negative reactions. Critics comment that Facebook feels the brand has become toxic. Even senators are claiming that the move is ‘cosmetic’.
- The biggest reason – the Metaverse does not exist yet. Zuckerberg has already commented that the metaverse is a long-term product. But having a brand name, where the main product does not exist yet, just does not make sense. Also, the name is unrelated to some of the biggest revenue earners for Facebook – Ads on Facebook and Instagram. So, it might seem strange to users that the brand has no relation to its existing products.
- We all know just how well rebranding for major Tech brands has worked (remember the Google to Alphabet fiasco in 2015?). Facebook’s new name might just fizzle out like Google’s.
But whatever the reasons behind the change, it is apparent that Zuckerberg’s passion no longer lies in just Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp. He is now moving onto virtual reality and this rebranding might push him and his employees from a negative to a positive branding space.
With the current imagery and brand market being as fast-paced and volatile as it is, the Metaverse will either turn into one of the best branding practices (like. ‘Urban Clap’ to ‘Urban Company’) or one of the worst marketing experiences (like ‘Pizza Hut’ to ‘The Hut’). Only time will tell!
