When was facebook launched

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg from his Harvard University dorm room. It originally launched as "TheFacebook" and was exclusively available to Harvard students before expanding to other universities and eventually the general public.

Key Facts

Facebook launched on February 4, 2004
Mark Zuckerberg created it from Harvard University's Kirkland House dormitory
The platform was initially called "TheFacebook"
It was exclusive to Harvard students for the first month of operation
The service expanded to other universities before becoming available to anyone 13 and older in 2006

Initial Launch and Early Growth

Facebook officially went live on February 4, 2004, marking the beginning of one of the most significant social media platforms in history. Mark Zuckerberg, along with his Harvard roommates, launched the platform from Zuckerberg's dorm room in Kirkland House. The platform was initially named "TheFacebook" and bore a striking similarity to physical facebooks that universities had distributed to students for years.

Harvard-Exclusive Beginning

During its earliest days, Facebook was exclusively available to Harvard University students. The rapid adoption at Harvard was remarkable—within 24 hours of launch, approximately 1,000 Harvard students had registered for accounts. This exclusive approach created a sense of belonging and authenticity that became central to the platform's appeal and growth strategy.

Expansion Strategy

Following its successful launch at Harvard, Facebook expanded to other Ivy League universities including Stanford, Yale, and Columbia. By the summer of 2004, it had spread to over 30 universities across the United States. This university-by-university expansion strategy was deliberate and strategic, allowing the platform to build critical mass at prestigious institutions before expanding further.

Path to Mainstream Adoption

In September 2004, the platform opened to high school students, and by 2006, it expanded to include anyone aged 13 and older with a valid email address. This pivot from an exclusive university network to a public social media platform transformed Facebook from a niche college tool into a global phenomenon. The name was officially changed from "TheFacebook" to "Facebook" to reflect its broader appeal and ambitions.

Early Success Metrics

By the end of 2004, just ten months after launch, Facebook had over 1 million registered users. The platform's user base continued to grow exponentially, doubling approximately every six months during this period. This explosive growth caught the attention of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs worldwide, establishing Facebook as a company with enormous potential.

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Wikipedia - Facebook CC-BY-SA-4.0