Meta’s New Forum App Challenges Reddit, Causes 6% Drop in Reddit Stock
Meta Platforms discreetly launched a new standalone app, “Forum”, on May 22, 2026. This move signifies the company’s latest venture into community-driven discussion spaces, posing a direct challenge to Reddit. The app, which appeared unceremoniously in Apple’s iOS App Store, is designed as a dedicated platform for Facebook Groups.
“Forum” is characterized as “a dedicated space built for deeper discussions, real answers, and communities you care about”, as per its App Store listing. Users require a Facebook account to access the app, which integrates their existing groups, profile, and activity. Unlike Reddit’s anonymous forums, “Forum” is tied to Facebook’s ecosystem. However, users can post under pseudonyms, similar to the main Facebook app.
The launch of the app had an immediate impact on the market, with Reddit shares plunging nearly 6% on Friday. This was due to concerns that “Forum” could potentially diminish Reddit’s user base. Analysts at Truist noted that “the risk from this move, if successful, is a gradual erosion of Reddit’s utility for casual users who have less community loyalty to Reddit and simply want answers.” The “Forum” app is currently being tested exclusively on iOS, with no announced timeline for Android or international releases.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/22/reddit-stock-drops-after-meta-launches-forum-app.html