Facebook Has Half a Billion Users

As of July 21, Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sites around the world, has registered its 500 millionth user. The social media destination has enjoyed impressive growth lately, and was expected ever since last week to make the half a billion announcement. According to the company, its aim is to make the world more open and connected, and it seems that it is now one step closer to that goal.

“As of this morning, 500 million people all around the world are actively using Facebook to stay connected with their friends and the people around them. This is an important milestone for all of you who have helped spread Facebook around the world. Now a lot more people have the opportunity to stay connected with the people they care about,” Mark Zuckerberg notes in a post on Facebook's official blog.

According to him, the company also found a way to celebrate the milestone. The company has put in place a collection of stories people shared on the impact of Facebook on their lives. Moreover, Facebook has announced the launch of a new application, dubbed Facebook Stories, which enables users share their own story or read stories from other people. All entries are organized by themes and locations around the world.

“Our mission at Facebook is to help make the world more open and connected. Stories like these are examples of that mission and are both humbling and inspiring. I could have never imagined all of the ways people would use Facebook when we were getting started 6 years ago. I want to thank you for being part of making Facebook what it is today and for spreading it around the world,” Zuckerberg continues.

He also notes that Facebook's employees came up with a special way of showing their appreciation regarding the high popularity of the social networking site, via a photo album with their messages of thanks.