Meta Forum App: Topic Led Threads For Facebook Groups With AI

Meta is rolling out a new standalone app called Forum, which repurposes Facebook Group discussions into organized, Reddit-like threads. The app is currently in testing for iPhone users in the US, offering a quieter space for text-based conversations compared to the main Facebook platform. Users sign in with their Facebook account and access their existing Groups, with posts appearing in both Forum and the linked Facebook Group. Forum prioritizes topic-focused discussions, using nested replies to structure conversations similarly to Reddit. Users can post under nicknames instead of real names, while activity remains tied to their Facebook profiles in the background. The app’s design emphasizes meaningful exchanges over viral content, with a home screen featuring topic-based threads rather than trending posts. A key feature is the AI-powered 'Ask' tab, which scans Facebook Group posts and comments to provide relevant answers and direct links to original discussions. Meta’s AI also assists Group admins by flagging potential rule violations and helping maintain order. Profiles within Forum are minimal, highlighting Group activity rather than personal timelines to keep discussions centered on shared topics. The app includes tools for discovering new Groups, with suggestions based on user interests. Additional features include nickname-based posting, seamless Facebook Group integration, AI-driven moderation support, and a clean, forum-style layout. Meta’s launch follows similar experiments like 'Instants' and the Threads app, which competes with X (Twitter). Forum’s current rollout is limited to iPhone users in the US, with no announced plans for Android or expansion to other regions, including India. Meta has not disclosed a timeline for broader availability, leaving users outside the test group reliant on standard Facebook Group features for now.