What does it mean when it says message request on Facebook message?

When you see a message request on Facebook Messenger, it means that someone who is not your friend on Facebook has sent you a message. Since you are not friends with this person, the message goes into your message requests folder rather than your main inbox.

Facebook added the message request feature as a way to filter out unwanted messages from strangers and cut down on spam. With message requests enabled, you can choose whether to accept the message request and start a conversation with the sender or simply delete or ignore the request.

Here are some more details on what message requests are, why you may get them, and how to handle message requests on Facebook Messenger:

What are Message Requests?

Message requests are private messages that have been sent to you on Facebook Messenger by someone who is not on your friends list. When someone sends you a message request, you will get a notification indicating you have a new message request. However, you won’t be able to view the contents of the message until you accept the request.

The message request feature prevents people you don’t know from messaging you directly without your consent. It adds a layer of privacy and control.

Some key things to know about Facebook message requests:

You’ll only get message requests from people who are not your Facebook friends.
The contents of the message are hidden until you accept the request.
You can choose to accept the request or delete it.

Accepting the request adds the sender to your message filters list.
Declining it deletes the message and blocks further messages from that person.

Why Do I Get Message Requests?

There are a few reasons why someone who is not your Facebook friend may try to message you, resulting in a message request:

They found you through Facebook search or a mutual friend or group.
They want to message you but don’t have your contact details.
They want to pitch you a business idea or sales message.

They mistyped someone else’s name when trying to message them.
It’s spam or an unwanted message from a stranger.

Most of the time, message requests come from people you don’t know who found you on Facebook. You may also get message requests from businesses, marketers, or scammers trying to contact you out of the blue.

While some message requests are legitimate, others may be unwanted spam or suspicious messages. The message request feature allows you to screen these messages and decide if you want to engage further.

How to Manage Message Requests

When you receive a new message request, you’ll get a notification on Facebook Messenger that looks like a regular new message, but it will say “New Message Request” rather than “New Message.”

Here are the steps to view and handle message requests:

Open the Facebook Messenger app on your phone or desktop.
At the top of your messages list, tap on “Message Requests.” This will open your message requests folder.
You will see a list of all your pending message requests. Tap on any request to view the message contents.

Once you open the request, you have a few options:
- Accept the request – This adds the sender to your message filters list so they can message you directly going forward.
- Delete the request – This deletes the message and blocks any future messages from this sender.
- Report the message – You can report any harassing, suspicious or spam messages to Facebook.

Once you accept a message request, the person gets added to your message filters list. This means they can send you messages directly moving forward without triggering the message request feature again.

If you find the message is inappropriate or unwanted, it’s best to simply delete the request to remove the message and block that person from contacting you further through message requests.

Turning Off Message Requests

If you don’t want to receive any message requests at all, you can turn the feature off completely. This means all messages from non-friends will be automatically blocked.

Here’s how to disable message requests in your Facebook Messenger settings:

Open Facebook Messenger and tap your profile picture (or the More tab) to access settings.

Go to the Message Requests section in settings.
Tap on the toggle for “Allow New Message Requests” to turn it off.

With message requests disabled, you won’t receive notifications about any new message requests. Non-friends who try to message you will be automatically blocked.

However, anyone who has previously sent you a message request that you accepted will still be able to message you directly, since they’re now on your message filters list.

You can toggle message requests back on at any time to start receiving requests again. Just keep in mind that legitimate messages may be blocked if you turn off requests entirely.

Difference Between Message Requests and Messages

It’s important to understand the difference between regular Facebook Messenger messages and message requests:

Messages

Messages are private conversations between you and your Facebook friends.
You can view messages instantly without needing to accept them.
Friends can reach you directly through messages at any time.

Message Requests

Message requests are from non-friends who found you on Facebook.
You must accept the request to view the message contents.
It acts as a filter for unwanted messages from strangers.

So in summary:

Messages are always from friends.
Message requests are only from non-friends.

This separation helps ensure you don’t get spammed from random people you don’t know on Facebook Messenger.

Who Can Send You Message Requests?

Given that message requests come from non-friends, you may be wondering exactly who is able to send you these requests in the first place.

In general, message requests can come from a few sources:

Anyone who can find your Facebook profile can send you a message request, even if you’re not friends.
People in Facebook groups or events you’ve joined may be able to message request you.
Some apps and Facebook platform integrations allow message requests to you.

Pages you’ve interacted with may be able to message request you.

So in most cases, someone needs to at least have access to your profile or be in a shared group with you in order to send a message request. Completely random strangers wouldn’t be able to request to message you out of the blue.

However, it’s still possible to get unwanted message requests from vague acquaintances, spam accounts, or people who simply found you through Facebook search. The request feature helps filter out these unwelcome conversations.

Should I Accept Message Requests from Strangers?

Whether to accept a message request from someone you don’t know is a personal decision. Here are some factors to consider:

Does their message seem legitimate and non-suspicious? Some requests may be completely harmless.
Do you share any mutual friends or groups that would make the request more legitimate?

Does the sender provide their full name and other details in the message?
Is the message professional and polite in tone?
Does it raise any red flags or seem like spam/solicitation?

In general, it’s safer to ignore or decline requests that are not from people you know. But in some cases, accepting a request from a stranger may be fine:

If you’re expecting a message from a specific person who is not already a Facebook friend.
If it’s a professional contact message and you verify the sender.

If the message seems helpful and you want to learn more from the sender.

Use your best judgment. Don’t provide any personal details. And you can always block the sender later if needed.

What Happens When You Accept a Message Request?

Accepting a message request does a few key things:

It allows you to view the full contents of the initial message request.
It adds the sender to your message filters list.
It allows that person to freely message you going forward.

They will show up as a new message thread in your inbox.

Once accepted, the sender is no longer considered a “non-friend” by Facebook Messenger. They can send you further messages without triggering the message request system again.

Essentially, you are whitelisting that person and giving them access to direct messaging with you. Keep in mind you can block them later if needed.

Declining or deleting a message request simply gets rid of the message and blocks that person from sending you any further message requests.

Can You Undo Accepting a Message Request?

If you accept a message request but later change your mind, there is unfortunately no way to directly undo the acceptance itself.

However, you have a couple options:

Delete the conversation thread – This will stop notifications and remove the message history.
Block the user – This will prevent them messaging you again.
Report the user – If the messages are harassing/abusive.

Turn off message requests – So you don’t receive any more from strangers.

While the initial acceptance can’t be reversed, these steps can help limit contact from someone you regret allowing to message you.

The main takeaway is to be selective when initially accepting message requests from people you don’t know. But if you do accept one you later regret, the above options can help minimize the unwanted conversations.

Are Message Requests Basically Friend Requests?

Message requests are often confused with Facebook friend requests, but they are separate things:

Friend requests allow someone to be added to your friends list if accepted.
Message requests only allow messaging access without friending.

Some key differences:

Message Requests	Friend Requests
Only allow messaging ability	Allow full friends list access
Keep the user as a “non-friend”	Adds user to your friend list
More temporary	More permanent

So in summary:

Message requests are for limited messaging access only.

Friend requests are for full friend status and access.

Message requests allow you to screen conversations without committing to a friendship. Friend requests are for establishing actual Facebook friend connections.

Should I Just Friend Request People Instead?

Some people disable message requests and only use friend requests to control who can message them. This gives you two options:

Accept their friend request to allow messaging.
Ignore their friend request to block messaging.

The downside is you’re forced to add strangers to your friends list just to reply to them once. With message requests, you can exchange messages without friending.

Potential reasons to rely on friend requests alone:

You want a fully vetted friends list free from strangers.
You find message requests confusing to manage.

You don’t want the temptation to message random people.

Reasons message requests may still be useful:

Replying to someone without committing to a friendship.

Temporarily allowing messaging as a trial.
Keeping your friends list curated while still networking.

Overall, message requests provide more flexibility to selectively communicate with non-friends. But relying on friend requests alone simplifies the process for some people.

Can You Message People Who Aren’t Friends?

Thanks to message requests, you are able to message people who are not friends with you on Facebook.

To message someone who isn’t a Facebook friend:

Go to their profile and tap the Message button.

This will send them a message request rather than a direct message.
If they accept your request, you can then exchange messages.

You can message non-friends this way, but it’s dependent on them accepting your initial message request before you can have a conversation.

Without an accepted message request, you have no way to message people who are not already in your Facebook friends list. This prevents unwanted messaging and spam.

Some key points about messaging non-friends:

You can send them an initial message request.

They must accept it before you can message further.
Your non-friend messages go in the message request folder.
You can only message friends directly without requests.

Overall, message requests allow some limited ability to message and network beyond just your friends list. But the other person must consent first.

In Closing

Message requests on Facebook Messenger allow you to receive messages from people who are not in your friends list, while giving you control over whether to engage with them. Request notifications indicate when a non-friend is trying to reach you, and you can either accept or ignore these as desired.

While message requests can occasionally be unwanted spam, they also provide a means to selectively communicate and network with people outside your direct friends circle. Understanding how to manage these requests and exercise caution around unknown senders allows you to benefit from the feature while avoiding unwanted conversations.