Not so long ago Facebook disabled chats on Facebook app on Android and iOS devices and required users to install a standalone platform – Facebook Messenger – that handles messaging externally.
As you would expect not everyone was interested, and options were available: Stop messaging from your phone or keep the Facebook’s web version bookmarked on your browser. Those who resisted are probably still chatting from their browsers till now. Unfortunately, that option too is being slipped away from them. Facebook is currently informing users that messaging capability will soon be disabled from its mobile web application. A dialogue box is currently popping up on Facebook’s mobile website notifying users that chatting will soon move to Messenger.
Though the notice may appear kind and easily ignorable, by saying “soon,” once effected, the warning will be impervious leaving you with only one choice: Installing the official Messenger app. The alert further explains that for you to chat, it will be a must to have Messenger installed on your device. Upon dismissal, the alert takes you back to a list of chats. However, tapping any of them takes you to Facebook Messenger in the Google Play Store. Maneuvering your way back is possible, just tap the back button then dismiss the alert again and finally, you will be back to your chats on a mobile browser. All that said, the message is clear, Facebook wants its users in Messenger and not a browser.
Monetization could be the motivation behind the move
It’s pretty clear why Facebook wants you in the Messenger. The social media giant currently controls two most popular mobile messaging apps in the world. WhatsApp is topping the chart of most used messaging apps with Facebook Messenger coming second. Naturally, the company is interested in monetizing these apps. However, monetizing a basic text-based chat app like WhatsApp is nearly impossible that’s why Facebook is resolving to Messenger. Again, chatting is a core function of any social media platform, perhaps, the most important for Facebook users. So it’s understandable the company is using the fundamental functionality to force you into Messenger. As we already know, it’s rumored that ads are making their way into Messenger. In case you have no clue, here is the brief.
A recall of rumors speculating ads to Facebook Messenger
Earlier this year a document meant for a Facebook advertiser leaked, revealing Facebook’s intention to push ads to Messenger in the second quarter of 2016. However, when reached for a comment, Facebook declined to approve or dismiss the speculations saying it does not respond to rumors. The company said it has chosen Messenger to give the best experience in messaging, so the move is just to add more users to the 900 million already on the app. where best experience includes ensuring users are protected from unwanted messages. Of course, that has always been the response but remember a lot has been speculated in the past and they eventually came true.
Facebook Messenger could soon be a powerful advertising platform with the company’s new URL-“fb.com/msg/” that auto-opens a conversation with a company when clicked. Inner details of the rumor say companies will be allowed to send ads in the form of messages to users. Though we aren’t’ sure as per now, from what Facebook has said it could imply the control will lie with the users so that they are able to limit or terminate undesired interactions with the businesses. As well, the ad process can only be initiated by the users. Instead of companies pushing ads to users who merely like their product pages, users will only begin receiving adverts after starting a conversion with the company.