Mark Zuckerberg testified before the FTC—and declared the golden age of social media is over.

By Aniket Chakraborty June 14, 2025 Arrow

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are no longer digital town squares—they're broadcast networks.

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“It’s about entertainment, learning, and discovering the world,” Zuckerberg said of Meta’s new direction.

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Personal post engagement is plummeting: friend content on Facebook dropped from 22% to 17%.

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Instagram’s personal sharing fell even harder—from 11% to just 7% in two years.

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Meta now competes with TikTok, YouTube, and even Apple’s iMessage in the ‘attention economy.’

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The FTC claims Meta’s control is monopolistic—but Zuckerberg argues the social media model has changed.

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He says AI content and influencer entertainment have replaced the need for interpersonal interaction.

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Critics warn Meta has sacrificed connection for algorithmic control and ad-friendly content.

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As the FTC presses its case, one thing is clear: the social web as we knew it is disappearing fast.

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