Meta, the company behind Facebook, is facing a big challenge: how to make Facebook feel important again. In a recent antitrust trial, emails from 2022 were revealed, showing how Meta’s top leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg, have been trying to bring back Facebook’s lost spark.
Even though many people still use Facebook, Meta knows it doesn’t feel as fresh or exciting as newer platforms. According to internal emails, the team is worried that Facebook’s “friending” system — which was once its main strength — now feels outdated. People today are more used to “following” others, like on Instagram or TikTok, rather than sending friend requests.
Zuckerberg admitted that Facebook is losing its cultural edge. He said that even if Instagram and WhatsApp are doing well, Facebook still needs to succeed for Meta’s long-term future. That’s why the company is trying to bring back what made Facebook popular in the first place — by focusing on old-school connections and creating a more personal experience.
In 2025, Meta is still working on these changes. A major update came in the form of a redesigned Friends tab. It’s one part of a bigger plan to refresh how people connect on the app. Back in 2022, Zuckerberg even discussed a bold idea — what if users’ friends lists were erased and everyone started over from scratch? It might sound extreme, but he believed big changes were needed to stay relevant.
One problem Facebook faces is that many users have outdated friend lists. They’re connected to people they no longer talk to. Also, the process of sending friend requests feels heavy and awkward, especially when other apps let you follow someone with just one tap. This old system makes it harder for Facebook to keep up with the fast pace of today’s social platforms.
Zuckerberg noted that other networks are based on simpler ideas — Instagram and Twitter focus on following, TikTok uses algorithms, and Reddit focuses on communities. But Facebook is still built around a friend network, and that may be holding it back.
Meta is now looking into major changes. One idea is to completely switch from friending to following. This would mean private accounts also use a follow model, not just public pages. Zuckerberg also suggested removing the “Like” button for pages, as it no longer fits the new social media style.
Of course, such changes come with risks. Meta knows that wiping out existing friend lists could push users away if they don’t rebuild their connections. That’s why any major change would be tested in a small country first to see how people react.
Still, the message is clear: Facebook can’t afford to stay the same. Meta is betting that bold moves will help the app feel fresh again. In a world where trends move fast, staying culturally relevant is more important than ever.
By
