🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 33 (from laksa078)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa033.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.searchenginejournal.com/did-facebook-change-name/425225/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.searchenginejournal.com/did-facebook-change-name/425225/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/did-facebook-change-name\/425225\/","crawl_time":1774811049,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,searchenginejournal!www,\/did-facebook-change-name\/425225\/ s443","src_root_hash":"16192128682160941633","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It's Now \"Meta\"","meta_descriptions":["Did Facebook change its name after nearly two decades? Yes it did. It's now referred to as meta."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"What started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change.\nThe company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today.\nWhy did Facebook change its name?\nZuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media.\nGiving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face-\nlift\nof sorts.\nWhere Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience.\n“Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space.\nZuckerberg explains his unique vision of it:\n“The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this.\nIn the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.”\nHe goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today.\nIn Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms.\nThe virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life.\nCoworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart.\nPerhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location.\nYou could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel.\nZuckerberg continues:\n“In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.”\nWill any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way?\nZuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms.\nHere’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta.\nWhat Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name?\nGoing forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms.\nThe existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.”\n“From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.”\nThere’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere.\nBusinesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use.\nThe company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.\nWith that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet.\nZuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services.\nTime will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project.\nSource: Facebook (\n1\n,\n2\n)\nFeatured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO\/Shutterstock","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/did-facebook-change-name\/425225\/#main-content)\n\n[![Search Engine Journal - SEO, Search Marketing News and Tutorials](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/search-engine-journal-1x-63a425d735aa3-sej.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/)\n\n[![Search Engine Journal - SEO, Search Marketing News and Tutorials](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/search-engine-journal-1x-63a425d735aa3-sej.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/)\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/newsletter-sign-up\/ \"Subscribe to our Newsletter\")\n\n- [Latest](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/)\n  - [All News](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/)\n  - [SEO News](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/?ver=seo)\n  - [PPC News](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/?ver=pay-per-click)\n  - [Social Media News](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/?ver=social)\n  \n  - [Webinars](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/webinar\/)\n  - [Podcast](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/search-engine-journal-show\/)\n  - [For Agencies](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/agency-marketing\/)\n  - [Career](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/careers-education\/)\n  \n  ![ChatGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Gemini: Which LLMs Are Driving Real Conversions?](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/nav-bar_1x-412.png)\n  \n  Webinar\n  \n  ### ChatGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Gemini: Which LLMs Are Driving Real Conversions?\n  Register now and come ready to rethink how you're allocating AI search effort.\n  \n  [Register Now](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/webinar-lp-chatgpt-vs-perplexity-vs-gemini-which-llms-are-driving-real-conversions-expert-panel\/)\n- [SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/)\n  - [All SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/)\n  - [Enterprise SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/enterprise\/)\n  - [Google Algorithm Updates](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/google-algorithm-history\/)\n  - [International SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/international-search\/)\n  - [Link Building](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/linkbuilding\/)\n  - [Local SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/local-search\/)\n  \n  - [Mobile SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/mobile\/)\n  - [On-Page SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/on-page-seo\/)\n  - [SEO Strategy](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/seo-strategy\/)\n  - [Technical SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/technical-seo\/)\n  - [Web Dev for SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/web-development\/)\n  - [Wordpress for SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/cms\/wp\/?ver=seo)\n  \n  Columns\n  \n  - [Search Visibility & Value With Bill Hunt](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/search-visibility-value-with-bill-hunt\/)\n  - [Enterprise SEO with Dan Taylor](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/enterprise-seo-column\/)\n  - [Ask an SEO](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/seo\/ask-an-seo\/)\n  - [SEO Pulse](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/?ver=seo)\n  \n  ![Vibe Code Tools That Solve Your SEO Problems](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/nav-bar-copy-copy-731.png)\n  \n  Guide\n  \n  ### Vibe Code Tools That Solve Your SEO Problems\n  You don’t need to code to build working SEO tools, just the right prompts and process. 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[SEJ](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/)\n2. ⋅\n3. [Facebook](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/social\/facebook\/)\n\n# Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It’s Now “Meta”\nDid Facebook change its name after nearly two decades? Yes it did. It's now referred to as meta.\n\n[![Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-65x65.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/ \"Go to Author Page\")\n\nSEJ STAFF  [Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/ \"Go to Author Page\")\n\n- October 28, 2021\n- ⋅\n- 4 min read\n\n[![Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-65x65.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/ \"Go to Author Page\")\n\nSEJ STAFF [Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/ \"Go to Author Page\") Senior News Writer at [Search Engine Journal](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/)\n\nBio\n\nFollow\n\n- 251\n  SHARES\n- 4\\.9K\n  READS\n\n![Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It’s Now “Meta”](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/did-facebook-change-its-name-617b3ff064511-sej.png)\n\nWhat started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change.\n\nThe company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today.\n\n## **Why did Facebook change its name?**\nZuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media.\n\nGiving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face-*lift* of sorts.\n\nWhere Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience.\n\n“Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space.\n\nZuckerberg explains his unique vision of it:\n\n> “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this.\n> \n> In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.”\n\nHe goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today.\n\nIn Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms.\n\nThe virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life.\n\nCoworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart.\n\nPerhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location.\n\nYou could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel.\n\nZuckerberg continues:\n\n> “In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.”\n\nWill any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way?\n\nZuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms.\n\nHere’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta.\n\n## What Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name?\nGoing forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms.\n\nThe existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.”\n\n> “From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.”\n\nThere’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere.\n\nBusinesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use.\n\nThe company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.\n\nWith that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet.\n\nZuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services.\n\nTime will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project.\n\n**Source: Facebook ([1](https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2021\/10\/facebook-company-is-now-meta\/), [2](https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2021\/10\/founders-letter\/))**\n***\n*Featured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO\/Shutterstock*\n\nCategory [News](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/news\/) [Facebook](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/category\/social\/facebook\/)\n\n[![Follow Us On Google](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/badge-1x-982.png)](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=searchenginejournal.com \"Follow Us On Google\")\n\n[![Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-100x100.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/)\n\n[Read Full Bio](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/)\n\nSEJ STAFF  [Matt G. Southern](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/author\/matt-southern\/)  Senior News Writer at [Search Engine Journal](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/)\n\nMatt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, ...\n\n![Join 75,000+ Digital Leaders.](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/newsl-1x-265.png)\n\nJoin 75,000+ Digital Leaders.\n\nLearn how to connect search, AI, and PPC into one unstoppable strategy.\n\nBy clicking the \"Subscribe\" button, I agree and accept the **[privacy policy](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/privacy-policy\/)** of Search Engine Journal.\n\n- Suggested Articles\n\n[![Meta AI Introduces AI-Generated Photos to All Platforms](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/meta-ai-creativity-tools-562-384x202.jpg)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/meta-ai-introduces-ai-generated-photos-to-all-platforms\/522835\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n#### [Meta AI Introduces AI-Generated Photos to All Platforms](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/meta-ai-introduces-ai-generated-photos-to-all-platforms\/522835\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n[![Consumer Usage Of Social Media Platforms Is Shifting (Again)](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/social-media-platform-consumer-trends-116-384x240.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/consumer-usage-of-social-media-platforms-is-shifting-again\/521271\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n#### [Consumer Usage Of Social Media Platforms Is Shifting (Again)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/consumer-usage-of-social-media-platforms-is-shifting-again\/521271\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n[![Butterfly Effect: How Core Updates Make Subtle User Intent Changes](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/kevin-indig-growth-memo-133-384x202.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/how-core-updates-make-subtle-user-intent-changes\/513939\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n#### [Butterfly Effect: How Core Updates Make Subtle User Intent Changes](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/how-core-updates-make-subtle-user-intent-changes\/513939\/ \"Read the Article\")\n\n![Join 75,000+ Digital Leaders.](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/newsl-1x-265.png)\n\nJoin 75,000+ Digital Leaders.\n\nLearn how to connect search, AI, and PPC into one unstoppable strategy.\n\nBy clicking the \"Subscribe\" button, I agree and accept the **[privacy policy](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/privacy-policy\/)** of Search Engine Journal.\n\n[![Follow Us On Google](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/badge-1x-982.png)](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=searchenginejournal.com \"Follow Us On Google\")\n\n[![ChatGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Gemini: Which LLMs Are Driving Real Conversions? \\[Expert Panel\\]](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20336%20190%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E) ![ChatGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Gemini: Which LLMs Are Driving Real Conversions? \\[Expert Panel\\]](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sidebar1x-643.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/webinar-lp-chatgpt-vs-perplexity-vs-gemini-which-llms-are-driving-real-conversions-expert-panel\/ \"Register Now\")\n\n## [ChatGPT vs. Perplexity vs. Gemini: Which LLMs Are Driving Real Conversions? \\[Expert Panel\\]](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/webinar-lp-chatgpt-vs-perplexity-vs-gemini-which-llms-are-driving-real-conversions-expert-panel\/ \"Register Now\")\n\n[![5 GEO Strategies To Make AI Search Engines Recommend Your Brand In 2026](data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20336%20190%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E) ![5 GEO Strategies To Make AI Search Engines Recommend Your Brand In 2026](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sidebar1x-127.png)](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/geo-strategies-ai-visibility-geoptie-spa\/568644\/ \"Read More\")\n\n## [5 GEO Strategies To Make AI Search Engines Recommend Your Brand In 2026](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/geo-strategies-ai-visibility-geoptie-spa\/568644\/ \"Read More\")\n\nAdvertisement\n\n![Join 75,000+ Digital Leaders.](https:\/\/cdn.searchenginejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/newsl-1x-265.png)\n\nJoin 75,000+ Digital Leaders.\n\nLearn how to connect search, AI, and PPC into one unstoppable strategy.\n\nBy clicking the \"Subscribe\" button, I agree and accept the **[privacy policy](https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/privacy-policy\/)** of Search Engine Journal.\n\n[![Search Engine Journal - 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Published by Alpha Brand Media.","attrs_readable_markdown":"What started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change.\n\nThe company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today.\n\n## **Why did Facebook change its name?**\nZuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media.\n\nGiving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face-*lift* of sorts.\n\nWhere Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience.\n\n“Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space.\n\nZuckerberg explains his unique vision of it:\n\n> “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this.\n> \n> In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.”\n\nHe goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today.\n\nIn Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms.\n\nThe virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life.\n\nCoworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart.\n\nPerhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location.\n\nYou could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel.\n\nZuckerberg continues:\n\n> “In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.”\n\nWill any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way?\n\nZuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms.\n\nHere’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta.\n\n## What Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name?\nGoing forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms.\n\nThe existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.”\n\n> “From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.”\n\nThere’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere.\n\nBusinesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use.\n\nThe company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.\n\nWith that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet.\n\nZuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services.\n\nTime will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project.\n\n**Source: Facebook ([1](https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2021\/10\/facebook-company-is-now-meta\/), [2](https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2021\/10\/founders-letter\/))**\n***\n*Featured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO\/Shutterstock*","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It's Now "Meta"
Meta Description	Did Facebook change its name after nearly two decades? Yes it did. It's now referred to as meta.
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Boilerpipe Text	What started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change. The company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today. Why did Facebook change its name? Zuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media. Giving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face- lift of sorts. Where Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience. “Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space. Zuckerberg explains his unique vision of it: “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this. In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.” He goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today. In Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms. The virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life. Coworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart. Perhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location. You could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel. Zuckerberg continues: “In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.” Will any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way? Zuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms. Here’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta. What Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name? Going forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms. The existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.” “From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.” There’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere. Businesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use. The company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. With that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet. Zuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services. Time will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project. Source: Facebook ( 1 , 2 ) Featured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock
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[SEJ](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/) 2. ⋅ 3. [Facebook](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/category/social/facebook/) # Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It’s Now “Meta” Did Facebook change its name after nearly two decades? Yes it did. It's now referred to as meta. [![Matt G. Southern](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-65x65.png)](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/ "Go to Author Page") SEJ STAFF [Matt G. Southern](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/ "Go to Author Page") - October 28, 2021 - ⋅ - 4 min read [![Matt G. Southern](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-65x65.png)](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/ "Go to Author Page") SEJ STAFF [Matt G. Southern](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/ "Go to Author Page") Senior News Writer at [Search Engine Journal](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/) Bio Follow - 251 SHARES - 4\.9K READS ![Did Facebook Change Its Name? Yes, It’s Now “Meta”](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/did-facebook-change-its-name-617b3ff064511-sej.png) What started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change. The company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today. ## Why did Facebook change its name? Zuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media. Giving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face-lift of sorts. Where Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience. “Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space. Zuckerberg explains his unique vision of it: > “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this. > > In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.” He goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today. In Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms. The virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life. Coworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart. Perhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location. You could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel. Zuckerberg continues: > “In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.” Will any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way? Zuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms. Here’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta. ## What Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name? Going forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms. The existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.” > “From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.” There’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere. Businesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use. The company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. With that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet. Zuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services. Time will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project. Source: Facebook ([1](https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/facebook-company-is-now-meta/), [2](https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/founders-letter/)) *** Featured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock Category [News](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/category/news/) [Facebook](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/category/social/facebook/) [![Follow Us On Google](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/badge-1x-982.png)](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=searchenginejournal.com "Follow Us On Google") [![Matt G. Southern](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Matt-G-Southern-sej-author-100x100.png)](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/) [Read Full Bio](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/) SEJ STAFF [Matt G. Southern](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/author/matt-southern/) Senior News Writer at [Search Engine Journal](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/) Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, ... ![Join 75,000+ Digital Leaders.](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/newsl-1x-265.png) Join 75,000+ Digital Leaders. Learn how to connect search, AI, and PPC into one unstoppable strategy. 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Readable Markdown	What started in a college dorm is set to transcend the physical world, as a new direction for Facebook begins today with an unexpected name change. The company formerly known as Facebook is now called Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announces today. ## Why did Facebook change its name? Zuckerberg has ambitious goals to change what people think is possible with social media. Giving the company a new name reinforces that Facebook as we knew it is getting a face-lift of sorts. Where Facebook laid the foundation for connecting people via photos, videos, and text— Meta aims to add a new dimension to the experience. “Meta” is derived from the word “metaverse,” which refers to an immersive 3D environment where multiple people can share the same virtual space. Zuckerberg explains his unique vision of it: > “The defining quality of the metaverse will be a feeling of presence — like you are right there with another person or in another place. Feeling truly present with another person is the ultimate dream of social technology. That is why we are focused on building this. > > In the metaverse, you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine — get together with friends and family, work, learn, play, shop, create — as well as completely new experiences that don’t really fit how we think about computers or phones today.” He goes on to describe a potential use case that sounds completely alien to how we use technology today. In Zuckerberg’s metaverse users log in with VR helmets and engage with each other as holograms. The virtual world they connect to is designed to resemble real life. Coworkers can log into the metaverse and get together for a meeting, for example. It will feel like they’re all together in the same room even if they’re countries apart. Perhaps a more fun example of what’s possible in the metaverse— think about concerts where attendance isn’t restricted by a person’s physical location. You could see your favourite artist with a friend in another state without either of you having to travel. Zuckerberg continues: > “In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up. This will open up more opportunity no matter where you live. You’ll be able to spend more time on what matters to you, cut down time in traffic, and reduce your carbon footprint.” Will any of these experiences be an adequate substitute to real life? Will people want to use technology in this way? Zuckerberg is convinced that the answer is yes. However, he’s not getting rid of existing platforms. Here’s what’s next for Facebook and Meta. ## What Happens Now That Facebook Changed Its Name? Going forward, the Facebook suite of apps will belong to a separate devision of the company. Another division will be created for all work on future platforms. The existing apps are now second in priority, as Zuckerberg declares his company is “metaverse-first.” > “From now on, we will be metaverse-first, not Facebook-first. That means that over time you won’t need a Facebook account to use our other services. As our new brand starts showing up in our products, I hope people around the world come to know the Meta brand and the future we stand for.” There’s no indication that Facebook as a product is going anywhere. Businesses and marketers can breathe a collective sigh of relief as there will be no disruption to services currently in use. The company’s metaverse-related services will be something to use in addition to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. With that said, there’s no obligation to enter the metaverse if that’s not something you’re ready to learn about just yet. Zuckerberg is pushing his metaverse vision quite hard, but I doubt that joining it will suddenly become a requirement to use the company’s other services. Time will tell if the world shares his enthusiasm for this project. Source: Facebook ([1](https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/facebook-company-is-now-meta/), [2](https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/founders-letter/)) *** Featured Image: Frederic Legrand – COMEO/Shutterstock
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