14 DAY TRIAL // Facebook has just announced that it introduced two new and exciting features to its Messenger application on Android and iOS. The two features have already started rolling out to Messenger users from around the world.
Facebook’s new reactions on Messenger allow users to express themselves in a fun way, by picking from a number of emojis to react to a message. We first caught word of the new feature earlier this month, when Facebook started testing it among a small group of users.
The reactions are quite similar to the ones for Facebook posts, users simply need to press and hold any message, then pick a reaction that they want in order to express love, a smile, amazement, sadness, anger, approval or disapproval. Interestingly, Facebook added the thumbs down disapproval emoji in Messenger, but it’s not available for posts in the News Feed.
See how many people reacted to a message
Facebook also added the option for Messenger users to see how many people reacted to a message and check out the reactions of each group member. In addition, a small animation appears inside the conversation whenever someone reacts to a message.
Moreover, Facebook will send notifications if the Messenger app isn’t open, so that users would instantly be notified whenever someone reacts to their message and in which way. The reactions are available in group conversations, as well as in one-on-one messages between friends. Users will be able to comment on text messages, stickers, videos, GIFs and even other emojis.
Facebook also introduced Mentions as a way for users to be notified whenever they are mentioned in a conversation. Users simply need to enter the @ symbol followed by the person’s name and select them from the list.
They will receive a notification and the text will be highlighted in the message. Notifications will be sent to the person that was mentioned. Obviously, the feature is very useful in group conversations. The two features will be available in the social network globally in the coming days.
