• Mark Zuckerberg expressed concerns that Facebook's traditional 'friending' model is outdated.
• He suggested drastic measures like erasing user friend lists to rejuvenate engagement.
• Internal tension between Instagram and Facebook has escalated post-FTC revelations.
• Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom testified that Meta restricted resources post-acquisition.
• Zuckerberg fears Instagram's success could harm Facebook's user engagement and relevance.

Internal communications from Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg reveal growing concerns about Facebook's relevance in the social media landscape dominated by platforms like Instagram and TikTok. In light of an ongoing antitrust trial, emails from 2022 indicate that Zuckerberg is increasingly drawn to following trends on Instagram rather than Facebook. He noted that the "friending" model of Facebook may feel outdated, prompting him to consider changes to improve user engagement, which has been declining among younger demographics. Zuckerberg specifically commented, "Even though the FB app's engagement is steady in many places, it feels like its cultural relevance is decreasing quickly," highlighting his worries regarding the platform's long-term viability... according to Indiatimes, Indiatimes, and Business Insider.

In a bold proposal, Zuckerberg suggested the radical idea of completely wiping out users' friend lists as a way to reset engagement and revitalise the platform. This proposal was dismissed by senior executives, who predicted significant instability for both Facebook and Instagram, which rely on established user connections for engagement. Even amidst declining cultural relevance, Zuckerberg expressed his desire for Instagram to continue flourishing, recognizing the need to balance growth across both platforms to avoid cannibalization of Facebook's user base. He stated, "It's possible groups will just never be as big as friending/following," indicating a shift in focus away from Facebook's traditional methods... according to Indiatimes and Business Insider.

Further complicating matters, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom testified during the FTC trial, alleging that after Facebook's acquisition, his team was deprived of necessary resources needed for growth. He stated that Instagram should have ideally had a larger workforce to match its rapid growth given its success, but attributed its limited scale to Zuckerberg’s apprehension about the app becoming a competitive threat to Facebook. Systrom’s assertion runs counter to Zuckerberg's claims of investing heavily in Instagram post-acquisition, suggesting a potential strategy to limit Instagram's competitive effectiveness... according to New York Times and Business Insider.

The court documents from the ongoing FTC trial have revealed a longstanding rivalry between Facebook and Instagram, propelling a narrative of strained relations within Meta's leadership. Zuckerberg’s quotes reflect his fears that Facebook's declining engagement could jeopardize Meta's overall strategy, emphasizing that "I don’t see a path to success for Meta if Facebook falters." This complex balancing act demonstrates the difficulties inherent in managing two competing interests within the same corporate ecosystem, as Zuckerberg navigates the challenges brought by Instagram's rising popularity and Facebook's stagnation... according to Indiatimes, Indiatimes, and New York Times.