The acquisition of tbh by Facebook is a fascinating tale of how a small startup with a unique idea caught the attention of a social media giant. In this article, we explore the story behind tbh, its founders, and the reasons why Facebook decided to acquire this teen-focused app.
tbh, short for "to be honest," was an anonymous social media app designed for teenagers to send compliments to each other. Launched in August 2017, the app quickly gained popularity by allowing users to participate in anonymous polls that promoted positive interactions. Within a few months, tbh had been downloaded over 5 million times and had 2.5 million daily active users.
tbh was founded by Nikita Bier, Erik Hazzard, Kyle Zaragoza, and Nicolas Ducdodon. The team initially worked under the company name Midnight Labs, which had developed several apps before hitting success with tbh.
They were inspired by the viral nature of other anonymous apps like Sarahah and Yik Yak and aimed to create a platform focused on positive and uplifting interactions among teens.
Facebook acquired tbh in October 2017, just a few months after its launch. The acquisition was part of Facebook's strategy to expand its reach among younger users and to incorporate positive social interactions into its platform. This acquisition highlights Facebook’s interest in innovative apps that resonate with teenagers.
Facebook's acquisition of tbh was driven by several factors. tbh demonstrated rapid growth and engagement among teenagers, a demographic that Facebook was keen to capture as it faced increasing competition from Snapchat and other social media platforms.
Additionally, tbh's focus on positive interactions aligned with Facebook's goal of building a more community-oriented and supportive social network.
The exact amount Facebook paid to acquire tbh was not disclosed, but some suggest that the deal was valued at around $100 million.
