According to a couple of reports, Facebook is said to be interested in turning Messenger into a platform where it will make the messaging app more than just that, and sure enough they have. During the company’s F8 conference, they officially revealed their plans that would turn Messenger into a platform service for third parties.
So how does this work, you ask? Basically Facebook will allow third-party apps to deeplink their apps with Messenger. At this time of writing, Facebook’s initial partners include ESPN, JibJab, and Giphy, just to name a few. Users will be able to choose content that they come across within either of these apps and send it to their friends in a message, as you can see in the screenshot above.
With every message sent using a third party’s app/service, it will be accompanied by an attribution link so that the other person can download the app if they want to be able to do the same thing. Facebook is also looking into getting businesses on board with Messenger, allowing customers a way to communicate with them more directly.
For example business websites will have a link that allows users to click to send a message via Messenger, as you can see in the screenshot above. This will make the experience more personal and in some ways mirrors the live chat support that some companies offer on its website. Due to Messenger’s richer capabilities, more detailed messages can be shared with the user, and it also makes it more efficient and succinct compared to sending emails back and forth.