The Vergecast Facebook lost daily users for the first time ever / Spotify CEO defends Joe Rogan deal
Feb 4, 2022
Meta hits a milestone of misfortune as Facebook reports its first-ever decline in daily users, reflecting broader challenges in ad revenue and competition. Meanwhile, Spotify finds itself in hot water, defending its deal with Joe Rogan amidst controversies about misinformation. The hosts discuss the shifting landscape of tech giants facing antitrust scrutiny, explore the intricacies of podcast content moderation, and highlight the ongoing consolidation craze in gaming. Tune in for laughs and sharp takes on today's digital dilemmas!
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Meta's Rough Quarter
- Meta/Facebook's Q4 earnings were negatively impacted by Apple's ad tracking changes and competition.
- They lost daily active users globally for the first time and project a $10 billion revenue loss this year.
Meta's Metaverse Gamble
- Meta is heavily investing in the metaverse, spending more in one quarter than the entire AR/VR startup industry raised last year.
- This investment is a significant bet, with uncertain returns, causing concern for investors.
Facebook and Antitrust
- Proposed antitrust bills target companies with market caps over $600 billion.
- Facebook's rapid stock decline might push them below this threshold, potentially avoiding these regulations.