Facebook has been on a roll lately, and they’re not done! As the most recent addition to their list of current updates, Facebook is releasing new features on Messenger and Instagram direct, including cross-app group chats! Talk about platform-to-platform communication, right? This is expected to boost engagement as people will now have more options with regard to poll creation and relevant messaging.
As explained by Facebook:
“Last year, we announced cross-app messaging between Messenger and Instagram. With this update, you’ll be able to start group chats between your Instagram and Messenger contacts.”
While it’s not functionally a major change, it furthers the platform’s plans to achieve simplified cross-communication between all channels. This total cross-platform messaging integration has been ongoing since they announced the project in 2019.
Elaborating On Encryption
With the integration process underway, Instagram-Messenger DMs will likely require full encryption. Seeing as how Facebook also wishes to cover WhatsApp, whose security defaults already present a challenge, with its broader messaging project, several governments have already expressed their concerns about the potential risks of the platform’s heightened encryption requirements.
Facebook was determined to push through and announced an additional encryption element for Messenger just last month despite blunt opposition. While encryption is generally viewed as a means to increase online data security, it’s not always a good thing if you consider the implications attached to social networks.
What To Expect
The recent update now adds polls to Instagram DMs! Since polls have gained tremendous success on Messenger, their inclusion in Instagram messaging, as well as the new cross-app messaging, is expected to make positive impacts on engagement.
Group typing indicators will also be available. Users will now see when several members of a group chat are simultaneously typing. It may seem like a trivial addition, but the enhanced utility that it offers can potentially aid in adding more depth and flair to conversations.
Are you a fan of Astrology? It’s okay if you’re not because Facebook is adding new astrology stuff anyway! Enjoy new chat themes on Messenger and IG, along with the new Astrology Suite, which includes new AR effects and backgrounds.
Topping the list of new features is you’ll now be able to use the ‘Watch Together’ function from your Instagram feed! If you’re unsure how to start a conversation with, well, conversation, then ‘Watch Together’ might be your ice-breaker. A particularly helpful function for IGTV if you think about it.
The Wrap
It’s true that video continues to dominate the scene when it comes to content and media, but messaging has always been the core connection element of any social platform. Especially after the various cultural shifts brought about by an eventful 2020, more and more people prefer to use messaging to connect and stay in touch with those who are part of smaller, more intimate circles. The days when ‘Social Broadcasting’ was a thing are slowly falling behind as the trend of targeted and personalized messaging pulls ahead.
As Facebook pushes with its messaging integration, it does raise specific questions and concerns. Then again, almost everything nowadays is believed to have a tradeoff. Disregarding the political and humanistic issues associated with Facebook’s growth and operations, we can all agree that these new updates bring something to the table when talking about strategic business development.
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