New emails from inside Meta, the company that owns Facebook, show executives are worried Facebook is losing its cool. These emails were shared in court during a government lawsuit against Meta. The messages reveal that CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his team know Facebook feels outdated compared to apps like TikTok and Instagram.
Back in 2022, Zuckerberg wrote that Facebook’s “friend” system (where you add people you know) is not working anymore. He said younger users prefer following celebrities or influencers instead of adding friends. To fix this, he even suggested deleting everyone’s friend lists and letting them start over.
Why Facebook’s Old Friend System Feels Stuck in the Past
Facebook became famous because it lets people connect with friends and family. But now, people use apps like TikTok to watch videos or Instagram to follow their favorite stars. Zuckerberg admitted in emails that Facebook’s friend lists are “stale.” Many users have old friends they no longer talk to, and asking someone to be a Facebook friend feels awkward.
Zuckerberg compared Facebook to other apps. On Instagram, users may subscribe to any other account without needing approval. TikTok presents users with videos according to their preference rather than their connections. Facebook’s system of adding friends and liking pages feels “old-fashioned,” he said.
Why Younger Users Are Avoiding Facebook
Young people today see Facebook as a place for parents and grandparents. Young people use Snapchat for communication, while TikTok serves them for entertainment, and Instagram provides them with style updates. The usage of Facebook by teens decreased to 32% in 2022 from its peak of 71% in 2015, according to research conducted in 2022. This worries Meta because if Facebook loses its cultural relevance, the whole company could struggle.
Zuckerberg’s Wild Ideas to Save Facebook
To make Facebook popular again, Zuckerberg thought of big changes. Here are some of his ideas:
- Let people “follow” others like on Instagram, even for private accounts.
- Delete everyone’s friend lists so they can start fresh.
- Stop letting people “like” business pages.
The craziest idea? Erasing all friend connections. Zuckerberg said this could “refresh” Facebook, but he knew it was risky. If people lost their friend list, they might leave Facebook forever. Instead, Meta tried smaller changes, like a new “Friends Tab” in 2025, to make connecting easier.
The Government’s Lawsuit Against Meta
The U.S. government is suing Meta for being a monopoly. They say Meta bought Instagram and WhatsApp to kill the competition. The leaked emails are part of this lawsuit.
Zuckerberg’s emails show he knew Facebook was struggling. He wrote, “If Facebook fails, our whole company is in trouble.” The government argues Meta should not own Instagram and WhatsApp. If the lawsuit succeeds, Meta might have to sell these apps.
Can Facebook Ever Be Cool Again?
Meta continues its persistent efforts to elevate Facebook usage rates. At the start of 2025, Zuckerberg declared his intention to revive Facebook’s original design elements which included photo albums and event invitations. Users primarily seek new innovative features instead of returning to obsolete features.
People benefit from the Friends Tab because it lets them share information with friends, yet this capability remains insufficient. Despite its large user base, Facebook has lost its position as the most trendy application. Facebook must manage a nostalgic approach together with current user preferences, which allow users to navigate trendy content rather than merely connect with their friends.
Will Facebook manage to transform itself quickly enough in order to keep pace with both TikTok and Instagram? Can Facebook secure its place in modern social media, or does it face extinction? Only time will tell.