Which company acquired Instagram in 2012 and operates Facebook?
Answer
Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms acquired Instagram in 2012 and operates Facebook.
Facebook agreed to acquire Instagram in April 2012 for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock. Instagram continued operating as a distinct product, while gaining access to Facebook’s resources, infrastructure, and advertising capabilities.
The parent company was called Facebook, Inc. until it changed its name to Meta Platforms, Inc. in October 2021. The rebranding emphasized the company’s interest in building the metaverse, although Facebook remained one of its flagship services.
Meta also owns WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads. Its market capitalization reflects a large advertising business across these platforms, as well as investor expectations for future products and services. Meta Platforms is the corporate parent; Facebook is the social-networking service, so the two names should not be treated as interchangeable answers.