In 2016, it seems to some as if the use of Facebook’s Messenger is antiquated after the Google Play market became saturated with convenient messenger apps such as WhatsApp. As a result, Facebook is working hard to bring their messenger back to the forefront of the market. Among these efforts is the introduction of encryption for Facebook Messenger. This feature allows the user to enter a “secret mode” that encrypts their messages and protects them from outsiders. These secret conversations add end-to-end encryption from all the messengers. Thus, you can only access the secret conversation from the gadget you used to send it. For example, if you initiated the encrypted message on your laptop, that is the only device you could use to open the message.
However, Facebook has a long way to go if they wish to reclaim dominance over the messenger market. WhatsApp already has over 1 billion users worldwide. WeChat is the mobile messenger system popular in China. Line is a common messenger system in Japan, and Kakao is used widely throughout South Korea. There is hope for Facebook Messenger when you consider its other unique innovations, though. For instance, you can now conveniently request an Uber for you or your friend through the application. The messenger app can also show GIFs.
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Facebook Messenger has yet to bring in any profit, because Facebook does not try to collect revenue until a feature accumulates 1 billion users. In late 2015, Facebook Messenger fell short with 700 million users.
Facebook is already looking ahead at future endeavors that could help Facebook Messenger profit if it does reach 1 billion users. At Facebook’s developer conference in April, the idea of “bots” was introduced. These bots would represent local agencies that would message a user if they were nearby. The bots would utilize algorithms to tailor their messages to the desired audience. There could also be news bots that would message their frequent viewers whenever there is breaking news.
Facebook is constantly attempting to innovate their messenger so that they can surpass the competition. Facebook Messenger’s encryption, among several other innovations presented by Facebook, should be sufficient to keep Facebook Messenger competitive.
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