Meta Quietly Launches “Forum” App to Challenge Reddit-Like Communities

Without any formal announcement, social media giant Meta Platforms has reportedly released a new social networking app called “Forum” on the Apple App Store, positioning it as a potential competitor to discussion-based platforms such as Reddit.

The discovery was first highlighted by well-known social media consultant Matt Navarra, who noticed the app’s listing on the App Store. Meta describes “Forum” as a dedicated extension of Facebook Groups, designed to enable deeper, topic-based discussions and community interactions.

Facebook login, nickname flexibility

According to the App Store description, users must log in using an active Facebook account to access the app. Once connected, existing Facebook Groups, profile data, and past activity may automatically sync into the Forum experience.

Despite the integration with real identities, the app also allows users to post and interact using pseudonyms or nicknames, similar to Reddit-style anonymity. However, content shared on Forum may still be visible within connected Facebook Groups, reinforcing its integration within Meta’s broader ecosystem.

AI-powered moderation and “Ask” feature

The app reportedly includes an AI-powered admin assistant aimed at helping group moderators manage communities, filter harmful content, and maintain healthy discussions.

Additionally, a new “Ask” feature allows users to submit questions and receive AI-generated answers aggregated from relevant community discussions. The system compiles responses from multiple groups into a single, summarized view.

Availability and rollout

The Forum app reportedly requires iOS 18.0 or later and is restricted to users aged 13 and above. It is currently being tested in limited regions and is not yet available for download in most South Asian markets, including Bangladesh and India.

However, industry observers expect Meta to gradually expand availability as part of a global rollout strategy in the coming months.

DBTech/BMT/OR