14 DAY TRIAL // Facebook announced that it brought important changes to its Messenger platform and changed the design of the persistent menu to allow for multiple nested items to be built in. Users will be able to find and select from multiple options that bots offer.
Moreover, developers have gained the possibility to hide the composer and create a simpler Messenger experience for users, one that wouldn’t involve conversations capabilities. Nested items can be used with the persistent menu to create bot interactions.
The new feature also allows developers to create rich workflows and experiences, with the help of webviews. Facebook has already made the enhanced menu structure available to developers.
Customized message content for sharing
Facebook also announced new features for Messenger sharing, including customized message content for sharing. This would allow developers to attach the existing Share button to a message and enable users to share the message easily.
Developers are able to attach images, messages and buttons to their content, making it easier to get their across to more users. Facebook also introduced a “Send in Messenger” button in the webview for users to share content and start a new conversation with a bot.
In addition, developers can link custom shared messages to their bot and use deep-links for recipients to start conversations with a bot. Facebook also added a Messenger Profile API for developers to share information on their bots to users in a target country. Developers can also use API for Messenger codes to promote discovery of businesses, while payments pre-checkout event lets developers make changes to the final price prior to payment.
Facebook also increased the text limit for messages and button template from 320 to 640 characters. Another feature allows developers to set image generic template aspect ratio to either “landscape” or “square.”
