Facebook Messenger Update – In this commodity we regularly compile the latest Facebook Messenger updates every bit well as planned features for app versions on Android and iOS.
Liveblog: Equally presently every bit there is new information about Facebook Messenger and new app versions and/or features, we will update this article.
Quick-Links 2020
- Restriction of the Facebook Messenger API as of December 16th
- (Preliminary) intermission for Facebook Messenger bulletin campaigns
- Facebook Messenger API opening strengthens customer communication via Instagram Messaging!
- Interlocking of Facebook Messenger and Instagram Directly Messages
- Limiting the forwarding of content
- Page Messages become available in Messenger
- Merging of Instagram Direct and Facebook Messenger begins
- Facebook Messenger Chat Plugin now with guest mode!
- “Ane-Time-Notification” API (Beta) – Facebook Messenger opens customer communication!
- Facebook Messenger soon with Confront ID?
Quick-Links 2022
- Introduction of Facebook Pay for Facebook and Facebook Messenger
- Avant-garde Business concern Features for Messenger
- Facebook Messenger tests Screen Sharing Characteristic
- Facebook Messenger: Go the dark mode in just 3 steps
- Facebook Messenger: From at present on, already sent messages can be deleted.
- five Differences between Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp
- Facebook Messenger 4: major redesign rolled out worldwide and triggers criticism
Update Dec 3th 2020
Brake of the Facebook Messenger API as of December 16th
After restrictions in the Messenger Advertizement now follow in the centre of December farther function limitations in the Messenger itself. Hither too, Facebook cites every bit a reason that European data protection regulations are to be observed. These changes will impact some API and UI components for the post-obit target groups:
- Chats from sites in Europe
- Chats from sites with administrators from Europe
- Chats with users from Europe
The following functions are affected:
As of December 16th, the following features will no longer be bachelor in Facebook Messenger:
- Audio, video and document integration
- Buttons (restriction desktop – mobile notwithstanding possible)
- Galleries (restriction desktop – mobile still possible)
- Persistent menu
- Handover protocol (In one case Notification API)
- Other graphic elements
In concrete terms, this means that the Messenger is limited in its range of functions and dialogs must now be conducted with text elements and links. In detail, the loss of the ability to ship videos, audio or documents and to receive them from users severely limits the interactive elements in the dialog with customers, fans and interested parties in Facebook Messenger. Here, direct links to the respective media content must be sent equally an alternative, which tin lead to user-friendly media breaks.
The other restrictions – autonomously from the changes to media delivery relevant for MessengerPeople customers – tin be read in item in Thomas Hutter’s blog post or, with a technical focus, in the Facebook Developers web log post.
Conclusion:
Should Facebook not be able to quickly render to the familiar range of functions (API and UI), one of the few advantages of Facebook Messenger over WhatsApp will disappear, especially since interactive buttons are now too possible via the official WhatsApp Business organization API.
Update November 26th 2020
(Preliminary) break for Facebook Messenger message campaigns
Starting in December, Facebook volition disable certain ads, targeting options and metrics for ads delivered to and from Europe due to new privacy regulations in Europe.
Affected are the selection of conversions or leads as target metrics of the campaigns in the Advertising Managing director in the context of the target “Messages”, “Traffic” or “Conversions”. In improver, it is no longer possible to utilise message templates for atomic number 82 generation in the Messenger and the of import “Sponsored Messages” are also paused until further notice.
Equally an alternative, Facebook mentions the post-obit possibilities in their blog post:
- The Link Click Optimization tin be used instead of the Message or Lead Optimization.
- The template “Starting time conversations” tin can be used instead of the template “Lead generation”.
Until Facebook implements the data protection measures stipulated by the GDPR, there is therefore simply i option left: to use “softer” targets in the awarding. However, since the algorithm is designed to send articulate signals to users, information technology must be expected that the alternatives mentioned will not exist as successful equally before. Information technology remains exciting!
Update October 20th 2020
Facebook Messenger API opening strengthens customer advice via Instagram Messaging!
The groundwork to the opening of the Facebook Messenger API for Instagram is the intended increasing integration of the two messaging apps and the other members of the Facebook Family of Apps, so that i day companies and customers tin talk to each other across all channels.
Facebook extends its Messenger API to back up Instagram messaging, enabling developers and enterprises to integrate Instagram messaging into their favorite business applications and workflows to deliver successful customer communications through Instagram…
Last year, the number of daily conversations between people and businesses on Messenger and Instagram increased past over forty percent.
Marion Boiteux, Facebook for Developers
Facebook announced that the new Messenger API will support automated responses to Instagram for the first time. The visitor opened the Messenger platform to chat bots back in 2016 and is now looking to speed up response time to Instagram past allowing companies to pre-qualify automatic responses to some of their most common incoming requests. Customers, in plow, capeesh a fast and problem-oriented response fourth dimension from companies.
This means, for example, that first level support Chatbots will presently exist used in Instagram client advice betwixt companies and customers, which will ultimately strengthen personal communication and advice to customers on more complex issues, and overall help to ensure that customer inquiries are candy more chop-chop considering, one time an inquiry has been pre-qualified, they hand information technology over to a human colleague.
Opening the Messenger API to Instagram also allows companies to map access to customer conversations within applications in their daily workflows, such as client relationship management (CRM) systems. This ways that letters from a customer could be displayed next to their order history, for example.
Finally, this update also integrates the messaging capabilities of Facebook Shops into the Messenger API, enabling companies to create more engaging and engaging customer experiences.
The updated Messenger API is currently available every bit office of a BETA program for selected developers and companies, including Adidas, Amaro, Glossier, H&Grand, Michael Kors, Nars and Sephora.
Since June two, 2021, MessengerPeople customers can now manage Instagram direct messages centrally in one inbox, in addition to WhatsApp, Messenger, Apple Business Chat, Telegram, Viber and Notify.
Update October 1th 2020
Interlocking of Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct Messages
Early last year, Facebook CEO Marking Zuckerberg presented his vision for the Facebook Family of Apps: Building a privacy-focused messaging and social networking platform. Yesterday it was appear that Instagram will integrate some of the features of Facebook Messenger for its direct letters. Later several attempts to add value to Instagram’due south direct messaging (including testing its own messaging app in the past), Facebook has now found a solution to connect Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
In improver, Instagram Direct volition include ten new features taken from Facebook Messenger. With over 1.3 billion users, FacebookMessenger is the second largest messenger in the world later WhatsApp with over 2 billion users.
By loading the post, you agree to Facebook’south privacy policy.
Learn more
Load post
At the heart of the update to Instagram’s Direct Messaging feature is Cross App Messaging and Calling. This means that with the update Facebook Messenger users can chat directly with Instagram users and vice versa. Previously, both parties needed the same app, either the Facebook Messenger or the Instagram app.
In improver, users will exist able to watch videos on Facebook Sentinel, IGTV, Reels (coming soon), TV shows, movies and more during a video call.
In terms of privacy and security, both apps will likewise introduce new features. With the new update, users of both apps volition go more individual control options to manage their own privacy. For example, users volition be able to check whether message requests should exist sent to their chat list or bulletin request folder or whether they desire to receive them at all.
Facebook also provides each user with tools to written report suspicious activity and take activeness to block dubious users across apps and/or stop unwanted messages and calls.
Update Septmber 3th 2020
Limiting the forwarding of content
The dissemination of false information etc. is a strong focus of the Facebook Group in 2020. Already introduced at WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger now besides limits the forwarding of content to 5 contacts or five groups.
Limiting redirection is an effective means of slowing downward the spread of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause harm in the real world.
Source: Facebook Messenger Newsroom
Update August 19th 2020
Page messages become available in Messenger
Facebook continues to work on its blue Messenger app and now allows page letters (essages that users send to companies via Facebook Messenger) to be received and sent directly in Facebook Messenger. As a screenshot that appeared on Twitter shows, users can easily switch between the respective accounts.
Quelle: Twitter User @mamun91bd
Conclusion:
For users with a low message book this update is certainly a large plus, but this feature volition hardly be used in large companies. For scalable processing of hundreds or thousands of messages per week, companies should rely on an easy-to-use messaging ticket organization to ensure a seamless and positive customer feel.
Update Baronial 18th 2020
Merging of Instagram Direct and Facebook Messenger begins
Already announced in 2022, Facebook’s planned integration of the news function of the popular social network app Instagram and Facebook Messenger will now brainstorm. The global rollout is currently underway and users will receive a pop-up notification when opening Instagram, announcing the merger along with other minor updates (see screenshot). Users volition also be offered the update straight via click, which volition facilitate rapid distribution.
Screenshot via Search Engine Journal
Users exercise not have to activate the new messaging feel, just too have the option of rejecting the update – at to the lowest degree for the fourth dimension existence. If yous activate the update, you will not but have a new design, which is very similar to Facebook Messenger, just as well the possibility to be contacted by Facebook users via Facebook Messenger without having to install Instagram. Currently, information technology does not (yet) seem possible that Instagram users can contact Facebook users again.
Conclusion:
An important and logical footstep towards the planned consummate integration of Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Update June 26th 2020
Facebook Messenger Chat Plugin now with guest fashion!
Some Facebook site owners may have noticed that they have a guest manner for the Facebook FB Messenger Customer Chat Plugin. The guest way allows a user to start a conversation with a company via the Customer Chat plug-in without having to log in to a Facebook account.
This invitee user can start the dialog on the footing of a temporary Facebook business relationship, which allows him to receive and transport letters. Such Facebook Messenger chats for “guests” end when the user decides to terminate the conversation via the “more” carte du jour or 24 hours after the conversation has started. The guest proper name appears every bit “guest” followed by a brusque numeric string.
If the company tries to send a message to this guest user when the guest accounts have been terminated, an error message is displayed: “This person cannot receive letters: This person is not currently receiving messages from you”. The transcript of these Facebook Messenger chats for “Guests” remains in the Guest user’southward browser for up to 24 hours. However, fifty-fifty after the chat expires, companies keep a copy of the conversation in their inbox until they delete it.
Since
June 16th 2020, Facebook has been rolling out the update on more and more Facebook visitor pages. The flick shows how the Facebook Messenger Customer Chat Plugin looks like with the new guest mode. The FB Messenger Conversation Plugin is “customizeable”, which means that you can, for example, customize information technology to match your CI in terms of color. Companies tin control the following steps in relation to the guest style:
- Enable / disable guest mode via Facebook folio settings: -> Messaging -> Add Messenger to your website -> Getting Started -> Disable guest manner
- Block a guest user in the Facebook inbox
- Written report a repeated Guest User offender by using the form “Report a Guest User from the Chat Plugin” use
With the opening of the FB Messenger Customer Chat Plugin, Facebook Messenger takes a decisive step towards opening it up to users without a Facebook account and thus increasing its reach.
Update February fifth 2020
“1-Fourth dimension-Notification” API (Beta) – Facebook Messenger opens customer communication!
Until January 15th, Facebook Messenger was likewise bailiwick to what we know from WhatsApp, namely the so-chosen 24-hour service window. This means that inside this time, companies were able to answer to a customer bulletin and stay in affect with their customers via Messenger in a timely mode.
Following the 24-hour window, companies were allowed to send a single message to customers. This “24+1 option” for companies to remind their customers (“re-engagement message”) was abolished on Jan 15. According to Facebook, one reason for this is that customers expect a faster response from companies.
Source: Facebook for Developers
Instead, Facebook Messenger has at present introduced the 1-Time Notification API for businesses. This ways that companies tin notify their customers outside the 24 hour service window via “follow-up message”, every bit they were allowed to exercise under the 24+ane rule.
The key divergence is that with the Onetime Notification API, companies can now ship automated follow-upward letters to their customers.
“Former Notification”: What could such a matter await like in physical terms?
A customer is interested in an item of clothing that he has seen in an online store. Since it is currently out of stock, the store suggests the client via Messenger to inform him/her when the production is in stock once again.
The company requires the customer’s consent for this. Past clicking on “Notify me”, the customer agrees to receive a message in the time to come related to the garment. The company tin can then set the customer to exist informed as soon every bit the garment is back in stock in the online shop.
I-Time Notification can as well be of involvement to companies in other respects. Namely, when yous want to remind the client not only of one garment, but also of other matching garments that are bachelor in the store. For news publishers, for example, One-time Notification could mean that in the time to come they could ship customers a notification with upwards-to-appointment links on a particular topic.
Overall, Erstwhile Notification with the follow-up message to the customer promotes interaction between the company and the customer. All changes and Facebook Messenger updates are always aimed at continuously improving the engagement and user experience.
For one-fourth dimension notification, this means that companies cannot send an infinite number of follow-upwardly messages. The number of One-Time Notifications that companies can send to customers is express (“the one-time notification API limits the business organization to a unmarried bulletin per user asking“).
Update Jan 27th 2020
Facebook Messenger soon with Face ID?
According to a study, Facebook is currently working on a Face ID login for its Messenger. Screenshots show a preliminary version, just for the Android version of Facebook Messenger and not for the iOS version. Other Messenger apps such as WhatsApp Messenger or Telegram Messenger already offer this blazon of login.
For these types of privacy features, we would use the face id-blazon settings already present on the device, not our own version. https://t.co/nEvnfiFQmx
— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) January 26, 2020
Co-ordinate to a Facebook employee, if this security feature were to be introduced, the Face ID settings of the respective terminate device would exist used, which in turn considerably reduces the attempt required for Facebook.
Update November 13th
Introduction of Facebook Pay for Facebook and Facebook Messenger
Facebook introduces an online payment system with Facebook Pay. It will gradually exist available for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Initially, the function will be rolled out on Facebook and Facebook Messenger in the United states. Facebook and Facebook Messenger users in the U.s. can use Facebook Pay from this week on to send money, store or donate. Other countries and apps such every bit Instagram and WhatsApp will follow.
Facebook Pay is the fundamental basis for all online payment functions / mobile payment functions in the Facebook App ecosystem. Currently, subsequently intensive testing, WhatsApp is about to launch WhatsApp Pay in India, the largest market for the world’south most popular messaging app.
At this year’south Facebook programmer conference f8, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg pointed out the importance of mobile payment at WhatsApp & Co. Paying had to be equally piece of cake every bit sending a picture show. Facebook Pay brings Facebook a decisive pace closer to its goal of integrating the iv apps Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp more closely.
Update August 30th
Advanced Business Features for Messenger
Every bit promised at the F8 a few months back, Facebook Messenger is now launching a variety of business policies and features which volition position Messenger equally a serious channel for concern advice besides. Messenger is implementing a
24-hour window for businesses to answer
to incoming user letters, to ensure fast responses and better service. Exterior of these 24 hours, there are “message tags,” which Facebook is currently simplifying, allowing businesses to send personalized
“message tags” for specific utilize cases, including event reminders, post-purchase updates, and more than. For businesses who want to send promotional content, they can utilise
sponsored messages
as a fee-based option to send personal messages to users and re-engage them.
Paradigm Source: TechCrunch
Here’south a closer await at the new concern features:
Lead generation:Businesses tin can now have advantage of an automated lead qualification procedure within Messenger. Templates are available in the Ads Managing director and the solution tin can as well be merged with CRM tools to assist organize the lead generation.
Appointment booking:Within the Messenger API, in that location’s a new interface for appointment booking directly in the chat. This includes existent-fourth dimension confirmation and an integration to agenda softwares, significant that businesses can use messaging conversations to schedule appointments, in-shop meetings, phone calls, and more. This will be rolled out globally over the rest of the twelvemonth!
Conversion tracking:Facebook is as well updating the their conversion tracking within the Messenger platform then that businesses can track events that happen inside a conversation. With this feature, businesses can see the measurable impact that messaging has on their business concern goals.
One concluding affair: Facebook will also be phasing out the Discover tab and will instead work on other entry points to connect users and businesses – including, of course, search and advertisement, which are some of the about intuitive entry points for users to start messaging businesses.
Update August 29th
Facebook Messenger tests Screen Sharing Characteristic
A so far unpublished feature in Android allows video and sound call users to make their screen visible to all participants. This allows users to view video and images stored on their own mobile phone or to view content exterior the Facebook creation (YouTube videos, etc.) together with others.
When this office is rolled out for Android or iOS is currently open. In any instance, this feature is an exciting approach of Facebook to keep users longer in the Messenger App.
Update March 5th
Facebook Messenger: Get dark mode in just 3 steps!
Facebook Messenger now as well has a night mode. Nighttime mode means that everything happens in the messenger app with a night background. The main advantage: less strain on the optics during utilize. The dark mode rollout is currently being promoted in Facebook Messenger past a small hack, which at the same time promotes interaction.
We’ll testify you how to put your Facebook Messenger app into night style in merely 3 steps. If you don’t similar information technology, y’all can easily switch back to the default view.
-
Open the Facebook Messenger app and click on Chats in the navigation below.
-
Ship a contact the emoji of the crescent moon 🌙.
3. Once you’ve done that, it’ll pelting crescent moons. At the top of the screen you will see a message telling you lot that you lot can turn on nighttime way on your Facebook Messenger contour folio.
If you actuate night manner, it will chop-chop turn quite dark 😉
Update Feb sixth
Facebook Messenger: New feature gives you ability to remove messages for everyone
What other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber take already been offering is at present finally as well available on Facebook’s blue messaging app. For up to ten minutes after sending a bulletin, a user is now able to delete the sent message! The message is then deleted not only from the user’due south own chat history just also from those of other chat participants.
This is a characteristic that many users have been demanding for a long time. Peculiarly since it recently became known that selected users had already been able to access this feature for some fourth dimension. Similar to the messaging apps mentioned above, a message about the deletion is transparently displayed to all participants of the conversation.
How to delete messages or photos in the chat:
- Open the chat via
.
- Tap and hold to open the menu.
- The menu particular “Remove” offers “Remove for You” and “Remove for Anybody”.
Source: Facebook
Update January 21st, 2022.
5 Differences between Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp
In addition to updates and new features, we accept also been asked many times about the main differences between WhatsApp and the FB Messenger. Then let’s take a wait at some of the features just similar Concern Today did a few weeks ago.
1. Facebook Messenger wins 1:0 for Design
Here the FB Messenger is clearly ahead. With FB Messenger four, users have just received a major redesign, including a logo, which is existence rolled out worldwide. The aim of this redesign is to bring more than clarity, simplicity and focus on the essentials into the Messenger App. Finally, the FB Messenger also offers a wide range of colors. For example, information technology is possible to conform the colors of the conversation sequences. WhatsApp is not that advanced nevertheless. WhatsApp’due south design still gives an “oldschool impression” compared to other messengers. It just became known that WhatsApp allows sticker integration via third-party providers and that Google equally a well-known brand,starts with it.
two. Facebook Messenger wins 2:0 for Image Transfer
We all know information technology, Facebook’due south epitome recognition. Of course, this besides comes into play here, too as the fact that the FB Messenger doesn’t set up any limits for sending messages, while WhatsApp has reduced the forwarding of letters to 5 people (against the background of upcoming fake news). This reduction from twenty to five recipients of forwarded letters follows the example of India, where this limitation has already been in practise for some time.
3. WhatsApp scores 1 for Privacy (2:1)
WhatsApp has been and however is often criticized for its privacy. But compared to Facebook Messenger, the “dark-green giant” has i big asset: finish-to-end encryption. It comes into effect equally before long every bit two users exchange data and only exists betwixt them, or more precisely betwixt the end devices. The situation is different with Facebook Messenger: a secret conversation can exist started here, with encrypting the chat end-to-cease on the ground of the protocol developed past Open up Whisper Systems.
This protocol is besides used for the messenger Point, which is known for its security. The only problem with Cloak-and-dagger Convcersations is that they are device-dependent. If I have a Clandestine Conversation on the iPhone, I take to create the same conversation on the iPad as Secret Chat (“one device only”). Normal messages on Facebook Messenger are likewise encrypted, but only until they accomplish the Facebook servers. If regime agencies need to view a chat history, on reasonable suspicion, Facebook can provide them with this information. This is not possible with WhatsApp.
4. 2:2 because WhatsApp enables a deletion role for sent messages
While WhatsApp offers the complete deletion of already sent messages, this is non the case with FB Messenger.
Facebook Messenger is finally working on “Unsend Message” in the app for everyone!
Tip @Techmeme pic.twitter.com/5OtQrmyID3
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 12, 2022
The Unsend characteristic (only iOS) for the FB Messenger rolled out in November contains the following points: The complete deletion, i.e. unsending, can only exist realized within 10 minutes after sending a message. In addition, Facebook stores the message for an undefined menses of time to foreclose it from violating the guidelines. Finally, the rollout began in November in the post-obit countries: Poland, Bolivia, Colombia and Republic of lithuania.
v. 3:3 due to (video/audio) (Group-) Calling on FB Messenger and WhatsApp
The preference for calling is clearly WhatsApp. The nigh important reason for this is the fact that WhatsApp calls (audio, video) work even with weak cyberspace connections. In group conversations, the FB Messenger wins, too because with a maximum of 50 participants it allows more than WhatsApp, which supports but four participants in conducting a joint chat via audio/video.
Update ten. Januar
Facebook Messenger four: major redesign rolled out worldwide and met with criticism
We had already reported on the redesign at the end of last year. Now the global rollout of Messenger 4 has arrived to all users worldwide and the opinions on the new UI design diverge as expected. As with all major changes, some users are of course less enthusiastic nearly it.
Source: Facebook User Post
https://twitter.com/tablangista/status/1062389959489871872
From an objective point of view, Facebook consistently follows the path of simplifying usability with this update. With three instead of ix Tabs, the design appears much cleaner and thus besides creates easier access for discovering users and, above all, company accounts. Another consequent pace on the part of Facebook to advance communication with companies via Messenger.
In improver, it serves to gear up the upcoming dark style, which volition likewise be available to all users in the coming months and above all serves to reduce power consumption when using the Messaging app.
Source: Facebook Newsroom
Source: @MacRumors
Start your MessengerPeople trial menstruum now.
14 days & for free!
Have a nifty idea for customer service via messaging apps and desire to talk nearly it? Bulletin u.s.!