According to reports, Facebook is shutting down its Houseparty clone – an app called Bonfire. You may have never even heard of it.
Back in 2017, we reported on Facebook’s plans to launch a clone of Houseparty, a very popular app at the time. Facebook’s clone, named Bonfire, later rolled out in Denmark and several other European markets, but obviously didn’t receive the interest Facebook expected it would.
That’s why – according to TechCrunch’s Josh Constine – Facebook is now shutting down Bonfire, and bringing the group video hangouts feature to Instagram and Messenger.
https://twitter.com/JoshConstine/status/1124367323949748224
Constine also said that Houseparty’s App Store rank has declined significantly in just over a year, making it less of a threat, so Facebook is taking the idea of a separate app off the table. However, getting rid of the separate app makes total sense for another reason as well. It’s counterproductive to try to create a new network when you already have the biggest network on the planet.
Facebook has a history of creating separate apps, sunsetting them, and then just moving their most popular features into existing products. Remember ‘Slingshot,’ ‘Poke,’ or ‘Riff’?
You might also like
More from Facebook
Meta Is Killing Its Messenger For Apple Watch App
Meta announced it will remove the Messenger for Apple Watch app on May 31 “After May 31st, Messenger won’t be available …
Facebook And Instagram Start Selling Blue Checks With Meta Verified
Meta Verified will give you a blue check badge on both Facebook and Instagram, along with other benefits for $12 …
Meta Brings Back #BuyBlack Friday For A Third Year
Meta is bringing back #BuyBlack Friday for a third consecutive year in North America. Meta emphasized the importance of the Holiday …
Facebook Is Giving You More Controls Over What You See On Your Feed
Facebook is introducing new "show more" and "show less" controls to let you adjust what you want to see on …
Meta Introduces Facebook Reels API, Offering An Option To ‘Share To Reels’
Meta has introduced the Facebook Reels API, a solution allowing developers to build a 'share to reels' option into their …
Facebook Gets Into Delivery With DoorDash Partnership
DoorDash is partnering with Meta to pilot Facebook Marketplace deliveries across multiple cities in the U.S. Drivers will only transport items …
Meta Rolls Out Horizon Worlds In France And Spain
Meta Horizon Worlds, the VR community and game, is now available in France and Spain.
Meta Refreshes Facebook Groups With New Features
Facebook Groups now have an updated invitation system to reduce admin workloads and limit sharing of misinformation.
Meta Offers Digital Security Course For Journalists And Human Rights Defenders
The Meta Journalism Project and the ICFJ have put together a self-paced 90-minute course and webinars to provide online safety …
