Facebook chat and Facebook Messenger are related messaging services offered by Facebook, but they are not exactly the same thing. Facebook chat allows you to send instant messages to friends and contacts using the Facebook app or website. Facebook Messenger is a standalone messaging app and platform that builds on the chat functionality of Facebook.
Quick Answers
– Are Facebook chat and Messenger the same thing? No, Facebook chat and Messenger are related but distinct messaging services from Facebook.
– What is the difference between Facebook chat and Messenger? Facebook chat is built into the Facebook app and website for messaging contacts. Messenger is a standalone app and platform focused just on messaging.
– Can you chat on Facebook without Messenger? Yes, you can use Facebook chat to message contacts without using the separate Messenger app.
– Is Facebook chat going away? No, Facebook chat is not going away even with the popularity of Messenger. Facebook chat will remain part of the Facebook app and site.
Facebook Chat Overview
Facebook chat refers to the instant messaging feature that is built directly into the Facebook app and website experience. With Facebook chat, you can text chat with friends and contacts on Facebook.
Some key things to know about Facebook chat:
– Integrated With Facebook Platform: Facebook chat is seamlessly integrated into the Facebook app and website rather than a separate app.
– Messaging Facebook Contacts: You can chat with friends and contacts you are connected with on Facebook.
– Cross-Platform Access: Facebook chat works across iOS, Android, desktop web browser, etc.
– Text, Photo, Sticker Chat: You can send text messages, photos, stickers, and more via Facebook chat.
– Group Chats: Facebook chat supports group chats with multiple people.
– Online Presence Indicators: You can see when contacts are online/active or offline in Facebook chat.
Overall, the advantage of Facebook chat is the convenience of built-in messaging within the Facebook platform. You don’t need to switch between apps to message Facebook friends. The downside is chat features are more limited compared to dedicated chat apps.
Facebook Messenger Overview
Facebook Messenger, also referred to as Messenger, is a standalone instant messaging app and platform from Facebook. It evolved from the Facebook chat feature but is focused exclusively on messaging.
Key Facebook Messenger features:
– Standalone App: Messenger is a separate app from the main Facebook app.
– Stronger Chat Focus: The app is dedicated to streamlined chatting and messaging.
– Messenger Platform: The platform enables third-party integrations and bots.
– Richer Features: Messenger offers features like stories, games, polls and more.
– End-to-End Encryption: Secret conversations feature encryption between users.
– Cross-Platform Use: Messenger works across iOS, Android, desktop and more.
The advantage of Messenger is a robust set of chat-focused features beyond basic Facebook chat. The disadvantage is the need to use a separate app from Facebook.
| Feature | Facebook Chat | Facebook Messenger |
|---|---|---|
| Text chat | Yes | Yes |
| Photo sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Group chats | Yes | Yes |
| Message reactions | Yes | Yes |
| Chat bots & integrations | Limited | Extensive |
| Stories | No | Yes |
| Games | No | Yes |
| Video chat | No | Yes |
| Animated effects | Minimal | Large library |
Facebook Chat History
Facebook chat was first introduced in 2008 as a built-in instant messaging feature within Facebook. Here is an overview of the evolution of Facebook chat:
– **2008** – Facebook chat is introduced, allowing users to message friends in real-time via desktop website.
– **2011** – Group chat is added to Facebook chat, enabling messaging with multiple people.
– **2012** – Facebook chat becomes available through mobile Facebook apps on iOS and Android.
– **2013** – Photo sharing is enabled directly within chats for the first time.
– **2014** – Stickers come to Facebook chat, allowing more expressive messages.
– **2016** – Introduction of message reactions and gifs within chats.
– **2018** – Video chat introduced in Facebook chat.
– **2020** – Watch Together feature lets Facebook chat users watch video simultaneously.
Overall, Facebook chat has evolved from basic messaging to include features like group chats, photos, videos, reactions and more over the past 15+ years while remaining a core part of Facebook.
Facebook Messenger History
While Facebook chat has long been part of the Facebook app, Facebook Messenger emerged as a standalone dedicated chat app more recently. Here is an overview of key milestones:
– **2011** – Messenger first launches as an app focused solely on messaging.
– **2012** – Photos can be shared natively within Messenger.
– **2013** – Voice clips and stickers are added to Messenger.
– **2014** – Messenger reaches 500 million users worldwide.
– **2015** – Messenger Platform launches, enabling chatbots and integrations.
– **2016** – Messenger hits 1 billion monthly active users.
– **2017** – Messenger Day sharing feature and Messenger for desktop launch.
– **2018** – Group video chats enabled on Messenger.
– **2019** – Messenger integrates Stories, Facebook Dating and more.
– **2020** – Messenger Rooms allows video calls of up to 50 people.
In around a decade, Messenger pushed the boundaries of messaging from a simple Facebook chat alternative to an expansive ecosystem with 1.3 billion+ users as of 2020.
Integrating Chat Services
With Facebook chat built into Facebook and Messenger existing as a standalone app, this led to some fragmentation in the messaging experience. Over time, Facebook has aimed to integrate the services together more seamlessly.
Some ways Facebook chat and Messenger have become more integrated:
– **Cross-app functionality** – Features like reactions and group chats work across both services.
– **Shared friend lists** – Your Facebook friends are accessible directly within Messenger.
– **Unified profiles** – Your Facebook profile and info are shared on both chat services.
– **Synced messages** – Chats are synced between the Facebook app/site and Messenger.
– **Integrated tabs** – Switching between chat tabs happens fluidly on Facebook.
– **Respond from anywhere** – Can respond to Facebook chats directly via Messenger and vice versa.
So in many ways, the technical backend for messaging is now shared between Facebook chat and Messenger even if the user front-end remains distinct.
The Future of Facebook Chat
Facebook chat remains a pillar of the Facebook user experience even as Messenger has become the more robust, feature-rich messaging platform. Here is what we can expect for the future of built-in Facebook chat:
– **Staying power** – Facebook chat continues to have value for convenience, so it likely isn’t going away.
– **Shared innovations** – Any new messaging features will likely come simultaneously to both Facebook chat and Messenger.
– **Closer integration** – More blending of the chat services for a universal inbox and smoother cross-app functionality.
– **Privacy focus** – Both Facebook chat and Messenger will focus more on privacy protections and encryption.
– **Beyond public social networks** – Facebook is developing private social networking spaces that could again expand messaging.
– ** Commerce integration** – Closer integration of messaging with Facebook Shops, Marketplace and commerce channels.
While adoption of Messenger has outpaced Facebook chat, the ease and ubiquity of built-in chat keeps it as a vital onboarding point for messaging on Facebook’s broader platform.
Conclusion
In summary, Facebook chat and Facebook Messenger originate from the same foundation of Facebook messaging but have diverged into distinct channels:
– Facebook chat is the integral, built-in messaging within the main Facebook app and website experience. It offers convenient messaging with Facebook contacts, but more limited features.
– Facebook Messenger provides a dedicated messaging platform with enriched chat capabilities but requires switching between apps.
Facebook appears to be integrating these services more closely over time while still maintaining separation. Facebook chat continues to be the entry point for messaging while Messenger offers more advanced chat features. The future will likely see Facebook unify messaging across its broader family of apps. But the core ease and immediacy of Facebook chat is unlikely to disappear entirely as messaging remains central to the Facebook experience.