Quick Answer
When you send a message on Facebook to someone who is not your friend, the message will go into that person’s Message Requests folder rather than their main inbox. The recipient can choose to accept your message request, which will move your message to their main inbox and allow you to continue the conversation. Or, they can ignore or delete the message request.
If the recipient accepts your message request, you will be able to see their reply in your inbox and continue exchanging messages. If they do not accept it, you will not see any replies from them. Essentially, initiating a conversation with someone who is not your Facebook friend means you have sent them a message request that they need to accept before two-way communication is established.
Sending a Message to a Non-Friend on Facebook
Facebook has a few different options for sending private messages:
– You can message friends directly by going to their profile and selecting “Message” or typing their name into the search bar and clicking on their name. This will open up a messaging window where you can type and send your message.
– You can also message a friend from your inbox by selecting “New Message” and typing in their name.
– To message someone who is not your Facebook friend, you need to go to their profile and select “Message.” Even if you are not friends, Facebook allows you to send them a message.
When you send a message to someone who is not your friend, here is what happens:
– The message will not show up in the recipient’s main inbox. Instead, it will go to their Message Requests folder.
– They will get a notification that they have a new message request, but they will have to specifically open their message requests to view it.
– In your inbox, the message will show as delivered but will not say if it has been seen.
– You will not be able to see any replies from the recipient until they accept your message request.
So essentially, initiating contact with a non-friend means you have sent them a message request. Now the ball is in their court to accept it to continue the conversation. If they accept, messages will flow back and forth as normal. If they ignore or reject it, you will not get any replies.
Message Requests Folder
The Message Requests folder was implemented by Facebook to deal with messages initiated between non-friends. Its purpose is to prevent unwanted messages or spam.
With the Message Requests folder:
– Recipients can choose who they want to message with vs. being bombarded by strangers.
– Users are protected from harassment, bullying, and unsolicited contact.
– Spam messages have less chance of filling up someone’s inbox.
To find the Message Requests folder:
– On desktop: Click on the Messenger icon then look for the Message Requests tab on the lower left.
– In the Facebook mobile app: Tap on the Messenger tab > Tap on your profile picture > Scroll down and tap on Message Requests.
The number of pending message requests will display on the Messages tab icon to alert you.
What Recipients Can Do
When someone receives a message request from a non-friend, they have a few options:
– Accept the request – This adds you as a contact and moves your message to their inbox so you can have an ongoing conversation.
– Reply to the message – This accepts your message request and lets them reply, but does not add you as a contact.
– Delete the request – This deletes the message and you will not receive a reply.
– Report the message – If they think the message is spam, harassing, or inappropriate, they can report it to Facebook.
– Ignore the request – They can just leave it in the message requests folder and take no action.
So in summary, the recipient is in control. If they want to engage in conversation with you, they need to accept the message request. Otherwise, no communication will occur.
If the Recipient Accepts
If the recipient accepts your message request, a few things will happen:
– Your message will be moved to their regular inbox, like any normal message.
– They will be able to reply directly to your message, and you will see the replies in your inbox.
– You will now be able to start a message thread and continue conversing.
– You and the recipient can now message each other freely without the message request limitations.
– You will show up in each other’s message threads as contacts.
– On your end, you will see when they have read your message.
So accepting the message request essentially establishes messaging capabilities between two non-friends on Facebook. It moves the conversation out of the request stage into normal messaging.
If the Recipient Declines or Ignores
If the recipient chooses to ignore your message request or deletes it, here is what will happen:
– The message will stay in their message requests folder until they delete it.
– You will not get any kind of notification that they declined it.
– You will not receive any replies from the recipient. The conversation ends there.
– Your message will continue to show in your inbox as delivered but not read.
– You will not have the ability to continue messaging that person.
Essentially, ignoring or declining the request cuts off all communication. You will likely need to try another method of getting in touch if you want to contact that person.
Limits of Messaging Non-Friends
Messaging people who are not your Facebook friends does have some limitations:
– You cannot tell if they have read your message request or not.
– You only get one chance to send an initial message. Any replies depend on them accepting your request.
– There is no guarantee your message will even be seen. Many people ignore message requests if they don’t know the sender.
– You cannot start an ongoing conversation thread since you are not established contacts.
– If you message too many non-friends, Facebook may restrict your ability to message people for a period of time.
The main point is that the recipient has full control over the communication when receiving a message request from a non-friend. While you can initiate contact, you cannot force an ongoing dialogue.
Tips for Messaging Non-Friends
If you want your message request to have a higher chance of being accepted, here are some tips:
– Personalize the message with their name and make it relevant and specific to them. Generic messages are more likely ignored.
– Keep the message brief but friendly. Don’t write long paragraphs.
– Avoid sending anything inappropriate or that might come off as spam.
– If possible, try friending them first before messaging.
– Tell them how you found them or why you want to get in touch.
– Follow up if you don’t hear back in a few days. But don’t bombard them with messages.
– Understand that many people will not reply to strangers or distant acquaintances. Don’t take it personally.
– Use another communication method like email or phone if possible.
With patience and politeness, you may get a response. But there are no guarantees when messaging non-friends.
Alternative Contact Methods
If you are trying to get in touch with someone you don’t know well on Facebook, you have a few other options besides sending a message:
– Friend request – Send them a friend request so you can message normally. However, they may ignore your request.
– Comment on their posts – Write a public comment to grab their attention. But this isn’t private.
– Social media sites – Try contacting them on Instagram, Twitter, or another platform.
– Mutual friends – Ask a mutual friend for an introduction.
– Other contact info – Look for their email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, etc. to get in touch.
– In person – Introduce yourself in real life if you ever cross paths.
So messaging should not be your only route to establish contact on Facebook. Get creative with other platforms and methods to increase your chances of communicating.
Conclusion
In summary, sending a Facebook message to someone who is not your friend means you have sent them an initial message request. They control whether an ongoing conversation occurs based on if they accept your request. While you can try to initiate contact with non-friends on Facebook, there is no guarantee of a reply without established mutual friendship on the platform. With patience and proper etiquette, your message request may be accepted, allowing you to converse normally. But be prepared for the high likelihood that messaging non-friends will not lead to ongoing dialogue.
| If recipient accepts message request | If recipient declines or ignores |
|---|---|
| – Message moved to regular inbox | – Message stays in message requests folder |
| – Can reply to your message | – You receive no notification |
| – Starts ongoing messaging thread | – You do not receive any replies |
| – Can now message without limitations | – Conversation ends |
| – See read receipts from recipient | – Cannot force ongoing dialogue |