Facebook on Wednesday announced that its Messenger app has hit 1 billion monthly users.
This enviable milestone takes place just two years after the social-
networking giant separated the mobile chat application from its main
social-networking site as part of a sharpened focus on mobile. Now,
Messenger users have to download the standalone app in order to
chat on Facebook.
Facebook, the social network itself, hit the 1-billion-users mark four
years ago in 2012.
The company says that Messenger is now "one of only a handful of
apps worldwide created to touch so many lives." It created a short
video to celebrate the occasion and encourages users to send balloon
emoticons in their messages.
Facebook has been busy tweaking the Messenger app in an attempt to
make it more relevant to its users. For example, last month it said
it's working on the interface so that instead of seeing your most
recent messages first, you'll see people who are currently active on the
app, the day's birthdays and people who send you messages most
frequently.
Also in June, Messenger introduced its own emojis And earlier this
month, Facebook said it's testing end to end encryption that also have
the ability to self-destruct after a set length of time.
Here's what Facebook shared on its newsroom :
People use Messenger to connect with the people and
businesses they care most about. They make plans, share
dreams, send payments, tell jokes, play games, let their loved
ones know they’re thinking of them and much, much more.
Today we are announcing that more than 1 billion people
now
use Facebook Messenger every month, making Messenger one
of only a handful of apps worldwide that touch so many lives.
We’re grateful for all the people who are sending billions of
messages every day and we hope to send 1 billion thank
yous in
the form of a new floating balloon gift that everyone can use to
celebrate. Just send a balloon emoji to your friends to add a
touch of whimsy and delight to any conversation.
We know that every message is important to you — no matter
what you want to say — and our team is committed to building
experiences you love and to making all the interactions in your
life easier no matter who you are communicating with.
Thank you for using Messenger and being part of our one-billion-
strong community.