Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has quietly released a standalone iOS app called Forum, positioning it as a dedicated hub for Facebook Groups and a direct competitor to Reddit.
The app appeared in Apple’s App Store on May 23 and was first spotted by newsletter writer Matt Navarra, with Meta making no formal announcement about the launch.
Forum removes the traditional Facebook feed entirely and centres the experience around community discussions, with users able to post under anonymised usernames similar to Reddit’s pseudonymous system.
An AI-powered search feature called Ask pulls together answers from across multiple groups, allowing users to find information without manually searching individual communities.
Reddit stock fell on the news as investors assessed the competitive threat from Meta’s vast existing network of Facebook Groups and its near-unlimited distribution reach.
Meta also settled a landmark lawsuit brought by a Kentucky school district last week that claimed the company’s social media platforms had created a mental health crisis in schools.
The case was considered a bellwether for a large pool of similar litigation, with Snap, YouTube, and TikTok having already settled the same case earlier in May before Meta followed.
META stock was trading near $607 on May 23, sitting within a 52-week range of $520.26 to $796.25, with analysts maintaining a consensus price target in the $825 to $880 range.
The company is carrying a $115 to $145 billion capital expenditure plan for 2026, with revenue up 22% year-over-year and daily active users across its Family of Apps reaching 3.58 billion.
