Meta has quietly unveiled a new feature called “Communities” on Messenger, aimed at helping organizations, schools, and private groups communicate in a more structured manner. This move follows Meta’s introduction of Communities on WhatsApp in 2022.
The feature allows users to connect with others without the need for an associated Facebook Group. While Community Chats were previously available on Messenger for real-time connections within Facebook Groups, this new feature enables users to create dedicated spaces for real-time communication on Messenger independently.
Enhancing Real-Time Communication
The launch signifies Meta’s efforts to enhance Messenger’s functionality and set it apart from other messaging platforms like iMessage. It also indicates Meta’s intention to incorporate a broader social networking element into the messaging app by facilitating direct community connections within Messenger.
Communities on Messenger consolidate multiple group chats into a single space, each featuring a dedicated “Home” section where administrators can share updates and announcements. Meta states that up to 5,000 individuals can join a community through shareable invites.
- This feature can be utilized to establish dedicated spaces for various entities such as organizations, schools, PTAs, neighborhoods, or groups of friends with shared interests.
- For example, a neighborhood could create a Community to keep residents informed about different topics like events, security alerts, and schedules.
Expanding Community Spaces
Unlike Communities on WhatsApp, Messenger Communities are linked to Facebook’s social graph. This means that Community builders can expand their communities by inviting Facebook friends and friends of friends, rather than requiring phone numbers for invitations.
According to Meta’s help page, Communities on Messenger are designed for more public conversations compared to Facebook groups, allowing all current and future members to view chat content.
The new feature is currently being rolled out to all Messenger users worldwide.