**Facebook’s Hidden Empire: The Surprising Companies Behind Your Feed**
(What Does Facebook Own)
You scroll through Instagram, message friends on WhatsApp, or maybe even dive into virtual reality with an Oculus headset. These apps feel like separate parts of life. Guess what? They all belong to one company: Facebook. Well, sort of. Facebook rebranded as Meta in 2021, but the core truth remains. The social media giant owns way more than just the blue app you know. Let’s peel back the curtain.
Start with Instagram. Facebook bought it in 2012 for $1 billion. People thought it was a crazy price. Now Instagram’s worth over $100 billion. It’s where photos, stories, and influencers rule. Facebook saw the future of visual sharing and grabbed it. Without Instagram, Meta might have lost its grip on younger users.
Next up: WhatsApp. Facebook spent $19 billion on the messaging app in 2014. That’s a lot of zeroes. WhatsApp lets people send texts, make calls, and share media without fees. It’s huge in places like India, Brazil, and Europe. Facebook wanted to dominate global communication. Buying WhatsApp made that happen overnight.
Then there’s Oculus. Remember when virtual reality felt like sci-fi? Facebook bet big on it. They bought Oculus for $2 billion in 2014. Now it’s Meta Quest, pushing the metaverse idea. Whether you love or hate the metaverse, Meta’s pouring billions into making it real. They want you to work, play, and socialize in virtual worlds someday.
Don’t forget smaller buys. Meta owns Giphy, the GIF platform everyone uses. They snapped it up for $400 million in 2020. Governments questioned the deal. Critics said it gave Meta too much control over online expression. The UK later forced Meta to sell Giphy. Still, it shows how Meta hunts for tools that shape how we communicate.
There’s also Beat Saber, a popular VR rhythm game. Meta bought it in 2019. It’s not just about social apps. Games keep users hooked on VR hardware. Beat Saber is fun, but it’s also a smart way to make Meta’s headsets feel essential.
Why does Meta buy so much? It’s simple. They want to own every layer of your digital life. Social media, messaging, entertainment, even virtual spaces. Each purchase plugs into a bigger plan. If one app loses users, others keep the empire strong. It’s like planting many flags across the internet.
Not all deals go smoothly. Meta faces constant heat over privacy, monopolies, and misinformation. Buying Instagram and WhatsApp let them neutralize competitors. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe are now cracking down. Lawsuits accuse Meta of crushing competition. The company denies it, but the pressure’s growing.
What’s next? Meta’s investing heavily in AI and the metaverse. They’re building smart glasses with Ray-Ban and developing advanced chatbots. Every move aims to keep you connected—preferably through their apps.
(What Does Facebook Own)
Look at your phone. Check the apps you use daily. Chances are, Meta’s behind at least one. Their empire isn’t just about social media anymore. It’s a web of services shaping how billions talk, share, and even see the world. Love it or hate it, Meta’s reach is everywhere. The question isn’t just “What does Facebook own?” It’s “What part of your digital life don’t they own?”
Inquiry us
if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. (nanotrun@yahoo.com)
