Since 2004, when it was created and launched, Facebook has revolutionised the way we interact with each other online. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg largely in his Harvard dorm room, it was left up to the now famous entrepreneur, along with other early creators, to bring the social media platform to fame. With over 2.6 billion active users per month, they piece of software Mark and his Harvard classmates created is nothing short of a phenomenon when it comes internet use.
First established as Thefacebook.com in February 2004, the website had a limited but engaged active base of Harvard students. As one of the first major forays into the social media landscape, the site quickly gained traction. The nine co-founders then sought to expand the website’s user base to young adults who were in college, a demographic just starting to explore the world online.
What began as a pet project for Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes and Eduardo Saverin soon became an international sensation. Ashley, Andrew and Divya, some of the other vested creators of the site, played major instrumental roles in its success. Their diverse backgrounds, skills and commitment to the project were key to evolving it from a two-page website to a multi-national platform, with offices in 65 countries.
In 2010, Zuckerberg was honoured by TIME magazine as “Person of the Year”; an accolade given only to an individual who has achieved the most in their field. Despite the achievements of the other co-founders, many people today still consider Facebook to be the primary brain child of Mark Zuckerberg, and state that he was the one who took the technology and created a blueprint for what social media would become.
This sentiment may largely be attributed to the media attention surrounding Zuckerberg and the subsequent Hollywood film ‘The Social Network’, where he was played by Jesse Eisenberg. Regardless of the small nuances and contributions from each of the creators of Facebook, Zuckerberg is undeniably the face of the company’s success. By introducing the Facebook platform, Zuckerberg and his team have indeed revolutionized the way in which technology has brought people together.
Today, Facebook’s legacy has grown exponentially, and its applications extend beyond merely being a communication platform. Facebook is redefining the way we interact with other people and institutions, and is becoming a platform for people to learn, advertise, seek entertainment, and even shop. It is challenging existing media by becoming a new source of news, with videos and feeds becoming the norm for many. Zuckerberg has truly exceeded himself and his colleagues with what he has achieved, and was possibly a few steps ahead of the digital revolution.
What sparked the idea of facebook?
The origin story of Facebook revolves largely around Mark Zuckerberg’s inventive idea to create a platform where people could interact with each other in a meaningful way. He had experienced the way people interacted and shared experiences on the internet, and found that with the right design, the average user would find engaging on the platform. This sparked the idea of Facebook and how it would eventually become the success that it is.
The admiration of other software applications on the market likely played a role in the inspiration behind Facebook. Zuckerberg was deeply immersed in perfecting the look, feel, and functionality of his own software, taking inspiration from various existing applications like Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Zuckerberg was also intrigued by the idea of connecting people from other universities and colleges. The relationship between Zuckerberg and his co-founders was natural, as they all shared an interest in technology, software and had similar dreams for the site. As such, ‘TheFacebook.com’ was born.
Zuckerberg’s Vision for Facebook
Zuckerberg had a clear vision for what he wanted to accomplish with Facebook. He wanted to provide users with an experience that felt personal, yet simplified and safe. Zuckerberg is the primary reason why the aesthetics and engineering of the platform were built the way they are. He had a firm understanding of web design and user experience, which made perfecting the platform somewhat more comfortable; however, he still required assistance from external companies to deliver features.
This partnership resulted in the development of features such as ‘Instant Articles’ and ‘Live Videos.’ Through the platform, Zuckerberg strived to create a multitude of elements that were self-maintaining with little effort required from the user. This formed the cornerstone of Facebook’s success.
Whether introducing friend requests, the ‘News Feed’, or the ‘Like’ button, Zuckerberg’s vision for the platform and his creative leadership have led to a level of digital participation far greater than anyone could have imagined.
The Business of Facebook
Zuckerberg was the primary operator of Facebook in its earlier years and is still seen as the driving force of the company today. Despite the other co-founders creating a home for their software and helping it grow, it was Zuckerberg who had the vision to take it public and create what could only be likened to a business.
It quickly became clear to Zuckerberg that there was a potential for monetization. Therefore, he willingly outsourced certain tasks and roles to industry professionals who, in turn, crafted Facebook’s business model. Since then, we have seen the application of the ‘Data Policy’, the introduction of Facebook Ads, and the birth of Facebook Audience Network all of which have helped to keep the platform running.
It also became obvious to investors that the platform had the potential to become a powerhouse in digital services. This attracted the attention of some of Silicon Valley’s biggest investors, and Zuckerberg took some early investments while his core team continued to perfect the platform.
The Impact of Facebook
Facebook has had a global impact, and millions of users around the world are engaged in some way, shape or form. Similar to the effects of other big tech companies such as Apple and Amazon, Facebook has disrupted traditional methods of communication. This has seen people working remotely over long distances and everywhere in between.
Furthermore, the ‘News Feed’ has come to be the primary source of information for many users. Consequently, Zuckerberg has also become the public face for conversations about privacy, control, and innovation on a global scale. This challenges the public’s idea of online safety, necessitating the need for a website for global social interaction.
Facebook has even extended itself into politics by introducing an ‘auction system’ for political advertisements. This has propelled the website into allowing people to openly engage in political debate. All of which points to Zuckerberg’s original vision of connecting people: something which he has taken and improved upon.
The Future of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg has been able to develop a platform with minimal political involvement and has instead played an integral part in forming an entirely new industry. He is still believed to be the driving force of the company, making it what it is today. This has enabled Facebook to expand into a diverse range of services, such as chatbots, virtual reality, and various gaming features.
As it stands, there is no telling what the future holds for Facebook. It can only be assumed that the platform will maintain its stance as a pioneer in the world of technology and serve as one of the most influential entities of our generation.
Zuckerberg as an Entrepreneur
Mark Zuckerberg’s success is not only attributed to his time with Facebook, but due to the unique skills he brings to the plate. His success has been noted by the business elite, such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, who are highly impressed with his capacity to attract top talent and manage a behemoth of a company. His business prowess has seen him join multiple industries, such as automotive and healthcare.
Zuckerberg’s most notable success outside of Facebook is likely his philanthropic endeavours. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, created the Chan Zukerberg Initiative (CZI) and committed to donating 3 billion dollars to support the mission of preventing disease and reducing inequality. By and large, their efforts have been praised and highly commended.
Young entrepreneurs, especially in the tech industry, take solace in the idea that a small startup could become as groundbreaking as Facebook. The platform has presented entrepreneurs with an example of what could come out of creative thinking, tenacity and perseverance. Zuckerberg’s success has presented the world with a viable template for business growth.
Conclusion
Mark Zuckerberg has had a lot of help from those around him when it comes to developing and keeping Facebook at the top of its game. Nevertheless, he is the public face of the platform and is arguably the key figure behind its success. His vision, business savvy and determination have made Facebook one of the most revolutionary pieces of software ever created. With a current user base of over two billion people, Zuckerberg and Facebook are pioneering into a new world of tech.
