Image used with permission by copyright holderFacebook Messenger has grown a lot since it was originally introduced as Facebook Chat way back in 2008. Since it launched, it has grown from a very simple web-based messaging system to one that supports video and group chats on both Android and iOS. With the introduction of several new features in 2017, Facebook Messenger saw its biggest year yet, with more than 1.3 billion users globally.
In 2017, there were more than 7 billion conversations happening on Facebook Messenger every day. That’s nearly one conversation for each person worldwide. Facebook reported that holidays were the most popular time for people to connect via Messenger, with New Year’s, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day being the most active days. But even on an average day, 260 million new conversation threads were started.
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Throughout the year, Facebook brought new features to Messenger. Earlier this year, Facebook added reactions and mentions to group Messenger chats. Group users can add different emojis to each thread in the conversation, as well the have the ability to notify a particular person in the group chat. The changes appear to be paying off.
An average of 2.5 million group chats were started on Facebook Messenger every day in 2017. Group chat sizes varied, but Facebook said the average Messenger group chat contained around 10 people. People seemed to like the new reactions feature as well, with more than 11 billion reactions shared since March.
Video chats on Facebook Messenger had a huge year as well. In 2017, the number of real-time video chats on Facebook Messenger more than doubled to 17 billion. While some of this growth can be attributed to improvements in front-facing cameras on smartphones, Facebook believes a significant portion of video chat growth can be attributed to new features — group video chat and AR features.
Almost a year ago, Facebook added group video chat to Messenger, a feature already available on other platforms like WhatsApp and Viber. In June, Facebook added more AR features to video chat, allowing people to apply Snapchat-like filters to their conversations, as well as reactions. These new features make Facebook Messenger a fully capable competitor to other similar messaging apps.
Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp saw record usage on New Year’s Eve
With the ongoing pandemic making New Year’s Eve a little different from those that have gone before, it will surprise few that services such as Messenger and WhatsApp saw record usage throughout the day and evening.
“Despite so many being apart from friends and family due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people were still able to connect with each other the same way they’ve been connecting all year: through online video and audio calling, and in record numbers,” parent company Facebook said in a message posted on Sunday, January 3.
Facebook will limit forwards on Messenger to tackle misinformation
Facebook says it’s imposing a new forward limit on its Messenger platform to stem the growing tide of viral misinformation ahead of the presidential election. The social network is now rolling an update that will restrict users from forwarding a message to no more than five people at a time, a significant downgrade from the service’s previous ability to forward messages to 150 chats.
Jay Sullivan, the executive responsible for Messenger’s privacy and safety, said in a blog post that the company is introducing a forwarding limit to “help curb the efforts of those looking to cause chaos, sow uncertainty or inadvertently undermine accurate information.”
Facebook starts merging Instagram, Messenger chat features on iOS, Android
Facebook has apparently started merging the chat services of Instagram and Messenger on mobile devices, following through with a plan that was revealed in early 2019.
For some people, a notification has popped up on the iOS and Android versions of Instagram, offering "a new way to message" while showing the photo-sharing app's icon alongside Messenger's. The notification, which offers users a choice of updating the app, also lists features such as a new colorful design, emoji reactions, swipe to reply, and the option of chatting with friends on Facebook.