Meta Platforms, Inc., commonly known as Meta, is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his co-founders as Facebook, the company rebranded to Meta in 2021 to reflect its focus on building the “metaverse,” a virtual space that connects people through digital experiences. Meta operates some of the world’s most popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, which connect billions of people globally. The company is also a leader in developing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies through its Reality Labs division, offering products such as Oculus headsets. With its emphasis on innovation and connectivity, Meta plays a major role in shaping how people communicate, share information, and experience digital interactions worldwide.