Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta and formerly called Facebook, Inc., is an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, among other products and services. In October 2021, Facebook announced it was changing its corporate name to Meta. This led many people to wonder – is a Meta account the same as a Facebook account? The short answer is yes, Meta accounts and Facebook accounts refer to the same thing. However, there are some key differences between the branding of Meta versus Facebook that are important to understand.
The Meta rebrand
In October 2021, Facebook announced it was changing the name of its parent company to Meta Platforms, Inc. The Facebook company name remained, but Meta became the new overarching corporate identity. This rebrand was accompanied by a focus on building the “metaverse” – an immersive virtual environment accessed through different devices where users can interact digitally.
The name change did not affect people’s individual Facebook accounts. All existing Facebook accounts automatically became Meta accounts. There was no need for users to create new accounts or transition their profiles. The rebrand was purely a change to the parent company’s name. It did not directly change the services people use every day, like Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.
Do you need a Meta account to use Facebook?
Yes, a Meta account and Facebook account refer to the same thing. There is no separate sign-up process or profile needed to use Facebook. When you create a Facebook account, you are automatically getting a Meta account.
This will likely stay the same even as Meta expands its technology offerings beyond social media. Individual Facebook profiles are expected to remain the way people access Meta’s virtual worlds and future platforms.
Differences between Meta and Facebook branding
While a Meta account is technically the same thing as a Facebook account, Meta’s new branding marks a shift in the company’s overall corporate image:
- The Meta name is broader and less associated specifically with social media.
- The new infinity-shaped logo represents the “metaverse” focus rather than Facebook’s iconic “f” logo.
- Blue is being replaced by a gradient spectrum of colors in Meta’s new visual identity.
- Marketing focuses on Meta’s future technology visions rather than social media specifically.
However, when people log into Facebook itself, it looks and functions the same as before the rebrand. The Facebook app icon remains blue and keeps the original logo. Inside the Facebook app and website, all branding and interfaces remain unchanged. Meta’s new visual identity and messaging are more evident on parent company communications and future technology products.
Do you need separate accounts for Meta’s other apps?
Meta also owns popular platforms like Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. Do you need separate accounts for these apps or can you access them with your Meta/Facebook login?
The answer is it depends. Here’s how it works:
- Instagram – You can use your Facebook login to create an Instagram account, but they remain separate profiles. Content is not synced between the two services.
- Messenger – Messenger uses your Facebook account info and friends list by default. You access Messenger through your Facebook app or profile.
- WhatsApp – WhatsApp uses your phone number as your account ID. You can optionally link your Facebook profile to your WhatsApp account.
So Instagram and WhatsApp do not automatically link to your Meta/Facebook account. You can choose to associate them if you wish, but they function as standalone apps. Messenger is directly integrated with your Facebook profile and contacts.
Managing a Meta account
Since a Meta account is essentially the same thing as a Facebook account, you manage them in the same way:
Settings
All of your account settings, privacy controls and notifications are managed through the Settings menu in Facebook. This is the hub to update personal info, connect outside apps, manage followers and ad preferences, and access other account options.
Security
To secure your Meta/Facebook account, enable login notifications, use strong passwords, set up two-factor authentication, and watch for unauthorized access attempts. Use Facebook’s security tools to ensure your account is locked down.
Privacy
Adjust your privacy settings to control what people can see on your Facebook profile. You can limit past posts visibility, review tags to remove yourself from others’ posts, hide your friend list, and restrict who can look you up using your phone number or email address. Customize privacy settings to your comfort level.
Deactivating vs. deleting
If you no longer want your Meta/Facebook account, you can either deactivate or delete it:
- Deactivate – Temporarily hides your profile but saves all data. You can easily reactivate your account later.
- Delete – Permanently removes all account data. Reactivation is very difficult, if not impossible.
Think carefully before deleting your account, as the process cannot be reversed. Deactivating gives you more flexibility if you want to take a break from the platform.
Conclusion
While Meta is rebranding itself with a new name and corporate focus, Meta accounts and Facebook accounts remain the same thing for individual users. All existing Facebook profiles automatically became Meta accounts when the company changed names in October 2021. There is currently no separate sign-up process or account needed to use Facebook. The rebrand did not make any direct changes to people’s Facebook service and profiles. However, the messaging and visual identity associated with Meta moving forward isdistinct from classic Facebook branding, even if the login process and infrastructure remain combined.
| Meta | |
|---|---|
| New parent company brand | Original app name |
| Represents metaverse vision | Represents social media roots |
| Uses new rainbow infinity logo | Keeps original blue app icon |
| Focuses on future technology | Focuses on connecting friends/family |