The Facebook Events app allowed users to discover, manage and share event plans with friends. It was a dedicated app just for Facebook Events, separate from the main Facebook app. However, in 2022 Facebook discontinued the standalone Events app and integrated its features into the main Facebook app.
When did Facebook launch the Events app?
The Facebook Events app first launched in 2016. The goal was to provide a dedicated space for users to more easily find, create and manage event plans. With a standalone app, users could access events separately from their main newsfeeds.
What features did the Facebook Events app have?
The Facebook Events app had the following key features:
- Discover nearby events and filter by categories like music, sports, food, etc.
- View event details like time, location, hosts, and see who’s going
- Create, manage and share private events with friends
- Use personalized recommendations to find relevant events
- Easily coordinate event plans by creating groups and inviting friends
- Discover local businesses and organizations hosting events
The app provided a streamlined way for people to find events they’re interested in and coordinate plans around those events. Everything was located in one place without having to navigate the broader Facebook app.
Why did Facebook discontinue the standalone Events app?
In April 2022, Facebook announced they would be shutting down the standalone Events app. A few key reasons led to this decision:
- Declining usage – Over time, fewer people relied on the standalone Events app when the same features were available within the main Facebook app. Without enough active users, it didn’t make sense for Facebook to maintain the separate app.
- Duplicative product – The core functionality of finding and managing events was already present in the main Facebook app. Having two apps that served a very similar purpose fragmented the user experience.
- Shift in product priorities – Facebook wanted to consolidate its products and focus engineering resources on other priorities like Reels and metaverse platforms.
Essentially, the standalone Events app became redundant, making it difficult to justify continued investment and maintenance of the product.
What happened to events features after the app shut down?
After the Facebook Events app shut down in April 2022, its features were integrated directly into the main Facebook app. Users can now:
- Access events on the “Events” tab within the mobile app or under the “Events” menu option on desktop
- Browse recommendations, search for events, and manage event plans just like before
- Use the same tools for creating events, groups, and inviting friends that existed in the standalone app
So all the functionality still exists, it’s simply now part of the core Facebook experience rather than a separate destination. The main benefit is convenience for users to have everything in one place.
How did the shutdown impact users who relied on the Events app?
For heavy Events app users, it required changing habits and getting accustomed to accessing events from the main Facebook app. Some disadvantages and disruptions included:
- No longer having a dedicated app just for events content and notifications
- Events getting buried among other content in the main Facebook feed
- Learning how to find and manage events within the new interface
- Confusion around where favorite events went or how to find them again
However, most core functionality remained the same. And for casual users who didn’t rely heavily on the Events app, there was minimal impact.
How Facebook helped users transition
To smooth the transition, Facebook implemented a few helpful measures when discontinuing the standalone Events app:
- Provided ample notice about the change, announcing the shutdown weeks before implementation
- Showed prompts and tutorials to users about where to access events in the main Facebook app
- Redirected users from the old Events app to the new events interface
- Ensured all previously created events and data successfully migrated over
This helped minimize disruption for users accustomed to the old Events workflow.
Are Facebook Events still a priority for Facebook?
Yes, Facebook still considers events a core part of their platform and user experience. Some signs that events remain a priority:
- Events functionality was immediately integrated into the core app rather than eliminated
- Facebook has continued investing in new events features like live streaming and “online events”
- Events remain prominently highlighted in the Facebook app navigation and marketing
- Facebook added the ability to create and share “Reels” specifically from events
The discontinuation of the standalone app didn’t indicate a reduced focus on events. It was just a consolidation of the user experience into one place.
New events features since the transition
Here are some of the notable new events capabilities Facebook has added since integrating events into the main app:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Online events | Ability to host live and recorded virtual events with video, audio, chat, and more |
| Events in Reels | Creators can share event details, promotional content, and recaps using Reels |
| Livestreams from events | Go live from in-person events to share experiences in real-time |
| AR effects | Interactive camera effects like photo frames and filters customized for events |
Facebook has continued evolving events to keep pace with how people interact and share experiences today.
What’s the future outlook for Facebook Events?
Facebook Events will likely remain a pillar of the Facebook experience. Looking ahead, some possible areas of focus include:
- Further integration with Reels for short-form event content
- Expanded monetization for online events like ticket sales and gifting
- More metaverse-style interactive virtual events
- Tools for event organizers and creators
- Integrations with 3rd party planning/ticketing platforms
Virtual, hybrid and in-person events all represent major opportunities to add value for Facebook users. And events will only become more central as Facebook expands further into discovery, community and entertainment.
Conclusion
The Facebook Events app being discontinued was a victim of its own success. The core events functionality it pioneered eventually became a staple of the broader Facebook experience. While the standalone app is gone, Facebook Events remain a thriving and evolving part of connecting people online to real-world experiences and communities.