Forum is Meta's latest app for Facebook Groups, and it bears a strong resemblance to Reddit.

      The newly launched standalone app, Forum, is built on Facebook Groups and features an AI tab called “Ask” as well as an admin assistant. This release coincided with Mark Zuckerberg informing employees that he and Chris Cox were exploring the idea of creating 50 new applications.

      Meta introduced Forum without a launch event, blog announcement, or significant media campaign. The app is described in the App Store as “a dedicated space built for deeper discussions, real answers and communities you care about,” indicating Meta's intent for it to function similarly to Reddit but linked to a Facebook account.

      The launch was first noticed by social media consultant Matt Navarra and reported by TechCrunch, with independent verification from Engadget and MacRumors. A Meta representative informed Engadget that the app is still undergoing testing: "We test lots of new products publicly to see what people find interesting and useful to their experiences across our apps."

      Users log in using their existing Facebook accounts, allowing their groups, profiles, and activities to transfer over. Posts can be made under a nickname, similar to the main Facebook app, but group admins can still access users' real identities. Anything shared on Forum appears in the relevant Facebook group, and vice versa, meaning the app acts more as an alternate access point to an already existing Meta network than a standalone platform.

      The feed distinguishes itself from Facebook’s primary timeline by solely displaying conversations from groups a user is part of, along with suggestions to explore additional groups. Two AI features enhance the app:

      The first, “Ask,” enables users to pose questions and receive compiled answers from discussions across groups, eliminating the need to search one by one.

      The second is an admin assistant aimed at aiding moderators in managing groups and moderation tasks. Both features are intended to serve as time-savers rather than defining attributes of the app.

      This isn't Meta’s initial attempt at a standalone Groups app; a previous version was launched in November 2014 and subsequently discontinued in 2017, with the reasons for its closure remaining unclear.

      The focus on Reddit is notable, particularly since Reddit became public in March 2024 and has been licensing its data to AI firms over the last two years, making it the closest large-scale community discussion platform available. A Facebook-branded competitor that includes an AI answer feature is at least a familiar concept.

      Forum marks the second new app from Meta within a month. Late last month, the company started testing Instants, a separate Instagram companion for temporary photos that draws inspiration from BeReal and Snapchat. Additionally, Meta Edits, a video editing tool reminiscent of CapCut, was released last year.

      This release strategy appears intentional. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Zuckerberg explained to staff in an internal Q&A that AI-driven efficiencies are enabling Meta to develop more products with smaller teams, and that he and chief product officer Chris Cox discussed the possibility of launching 50 new apps.

      However, he moderated his enthusiasm, saying, “Like, yeah probably. But we probably should start by doing a few before we just, like, ramp up trying to do 50 all at once.”

      Forum is among the select new launches. The key question remains whether users desire a distinct app for their Facebook groups that includes an AI tab, something the spokesperson's line about testing was crafted to avoid addressing. The history of the 2014 Groups app provides one reference point. The outcomes of Instants, Edits, and future launches will contribute further insight.