The social media giant is at a crossroads. Facebook, once the undisputed leader, now seems out of sync with younger generations, who favor TikTok, Snapchat, and even Instagram. But Mark Zuckerberg is not ready to let his flagship platform fade into irrelevance. During Meta‘s latest earnings presentation, he hinted at a potential return to Facebook’s origins.
An “OG Facebook” to Reignite Momentum
While Facebook is often dismissed as a “boomer” network, it still boasts over 3 billion active users each month. A massive number, yet one that conceals a growing issue: young users are abandoning the platform.
For Zuckerberg, the solution is clear—bringing Facebook back to its roots. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity to make Facebook much more culturally relevant than it is today,” he stated, referring to an “OG Facebook”, reminiscent of its early days.
But what does this mean in practice? The details remain a mystery. No concrete plans have been revealed yet. Zuckerberg has only confirmed that time and money will be invested to push the platform in this direction.
A Transformation That Could Come at a Cost
According to Drivingeco, Zuckerberg’s plan isn’t just about redesigning Facebook’s look. Meta is set to invest up to $65 billion in AI infrastructure, including:
- A 2-gigawatt data center to power AI-driven features
- An expanded AI development team
- Meta AI enhancements, aimed at reaching over a billion users
- The development of Llama 4, an advanced AI model designed to transform user interaction on Facebook
By integrating cutting-edge AI, Meta hopes to create a more personalized, engaging experience that encourages younger users to return.
In other words, the upcoming transformation is likely to be polarizing. Meta appears willing to sacrifice some immediate profits in order to future-proof Facebook. It’s a risky gamble, but perhaps a necessary one to prevent the platform from becoming obsolete.
Facebook Faces a Generation That Has Moved On
The challenge is daunting. A Pew Research study in 2024 found that Facebook usage among U.S. teenagers (ages 13-17) has dropped from 71% in 2014-2015 to just 33% in 2024. In short, Facebook is aging along with its users.
To survive, the platform must attract a new generation. But how? Will it return to a simpler, more authentic Facebook, reminiscent of its early days? Or will it reinvent itself with new features to compete with TikTok and other social media giants?
For now, no major changes are expected for at least a year. In the meantime, speculation is running wild. Can Zuckerberg make Facebook relevant for young users again? Or is it already too late to save the social media giant?
