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Meta says its Forum app, which brings a user’s Facebook Groups together, is now available to download in the United States on iOS and Android. The company is testing AI-assisted search, topic labels and a new recognition role for members who contribute to groups.
Meta has made Forum available to download in the United States on iOS and Android, introducing new features for people who use Facebook Groups. The app brings a user’s groups together and is testing AI-assisted search, topic labels and a recognition role for helpful members, giving group conversations a dedicated place outside Facebook’s main app.
Meta describes Forum as a purpose-built app for people who want to spend more time in Facebook Groups. It syncs with a user’s Facebook groups, where they can see what is new, join discussions and discover other groups. Users log in with their Facebook account. Meta says it began testing the app in May 2026; the company did not provide user numbers or say how many people can access the current test.
One feature in testing is Ask, which uses AI to highlight existing posts and comments in Facebook Groups in response to a question. Results can include conversations from groups a person has joined and public groups they have not joined. Meta says users can open the original group discussion from the results. New options let Ask gather recommendations for comparing choices and suggest questions based on recent searches.
Forum is also testing topic labels on posts, such as “Solo Travel” or “Korean Food.” Tapping a label leads to more conversations on that topic. Separately, Meta is testing a new role for members whose contributions help a community, including answering questions, sharing firsthand experiences and offering practical recommendations. The role comes with a badge and benefits such as faster post publication. Meta says admins can grant it, and the company will also nominate members for admins to consider.
A Separate Home for Group Discussions
Forum gives Facebook Groups a dedicated app, potentially making group activity easier to follow for people who use several communities. Meta’s announcement describes the app as a way to see what is new and find discussions, but it does not provide evidence yet about whether users will adopt it or whether it will change activity in existing groups.
The search feature could affect how people find advice within those communities. Ask is designed to surface existing posts and comments, including firsthand accounts, rather than simply send users to a general web search. That may help people locate relevant discussions and discover public groups. The value of the results will depend on what the groups contain and how accurately the AI highlights their conversations; Meta has not shared performance measures in this announcement.
The recognition role also gives admins a new way to identify helpful contributors. Faster publication is one stated benefit, while Meta says posts remain subject to its Community Standards. The company has not described the full set of benefits or how the role will affect moderation and member participation. Those details matter because group admins set the tone and manage the rules in communities that can differ widely in size and purpose.
From Facebook Groups to Forum
Facebook Groups are communities organized around shared interests, local ties and other topics. Forum is linked to a person’s existing Facebook account and groups, while also providing a way to discover public communities they have not joined. Meta says the app is aimed at people who want to go deeper on Groups; it has not said that Forum replaces the Groups experience on Facebook.
The company says it started testing Forum in May 2026 and is now adding the described features. The announcement also says Meta plans to share more about tools for admins in the coming weeks. The new member role replaces the previous contributor badges and group expert role, according to Meta. The role is being tested on Forum in the US and on Facebook globally, a broader geographic rollout than the app’s stated US availability.
““Forum is a purpose-built app we’re exploring for the people who want to go deeper on Facebook Groups.””
— Meta
Questions About the Current Test
Meta has not disclosed how many people are testing Forum, when access might expand beyond the US, or whether the app will be released more widely. The announcement does not give a timetable for the testing period or say whether Forum will remain a separate app long term.
Details about Ask are also limited. Meta has not published accuracy results, explained how it evaluates the AI’s summaries or said how it handles conflicting answers across groups. The announcement describes results as highlights of existing posts and comments, but does not specify whether every result will link to its original discussion or how content from public groups will be ranked.
The new role’s criteria and benefits may also change during testing. Meta says admins can grant the role and members may remove themselves, but does not explain how nominations work in practice or how quickly posts will publish. The company has not said when the new admin tools it mentioned will be available.
More Features and Test Updates
People in the US can download Forum on iOS and Android and sign in with a Facebook account, according to Meta. The company says it is continuing to build the app and expects to share more information about tools for group admins in the coming weeks. It has not named a date for that update.
Meta says the new member role is starting to test on Forum in the US and on Facebook globally. The company has not provided a schedule for expanding Ask or topic labels, or for deciding whether the features will become generally available. For now, their reach and effects will depend on the ongoing tests and any later rollout announcements.
Key Questions
Where can people download Forum?
Meta says Forum is available to download in the United States on iOS and Android. Users sign in with a Facebook account to find their groups and discover new ones.
What does Ask do in Forum?
Ask uses AI to highlight existing posts and comments in Facebook Groups in response to a question. It can surface conversations from groups a user has joined and public groups they have not joined, and Meta says users can open a discussion from the results.
Who can receive the new member role?
The role is intended for members whose contributions help a group, such as answering questions, sharing firsthand experience or offering practical recommendations. Meta says admins can grant it and that the company will nominate members to help admins identify contributors.
Is Forum available outside the US?
Meta’s announcement says the app can be downloaded in the US. It does not give a wider availability date. The separate test of the new member role is also taking place on Facebook globally, according to the company.
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