Facebook has recently announced that it will be bringing back the ability to access your message inbox within the main Facebook app. This move comes after the social media giant removed the inbox from the app back in 2014 and later removed it from the mobile site in 2016, which was part of its attempt to get people to download the Messenger app instead.
Messenger will be integrated into the Facebook app
According to a recent blog post by the company, they will be testing the ability for people to access their Messenger inbox within the Facebook app, and it will be expanded soon. However, the company has stated that the move is not because they are listening to consumer feedback. Instead, it is part of a push for content discovery and sharing. The post stated, “Another part of delivering the best experience to people using AI is to make it easier for people to share what they discover on Facebook via messaging, when, where and how it suits their needs, without needing to switch to another app”.
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With the introduction of this feature, it is hoped that the move will make the Facebook app more user-friendly. Especially for those who do not wish to download another Facebook app. Making the inbox exclusive to the Messenger app felt like a cheap way to get people to download the app. And users have been requesting for the feature to be back to the main Facebook app.
In addition to the inbox announcement, Facebook also used the blog post to assert that the company “is not dead nor dying”. The company pointed to its milestone of two billion daily active users. Suggesting that the platform is still relevant and growing. However, the company has been facing criticism over its handling of user data and privacy concerns. Which has led to calls for more transparency and accountability.
Overall, the move to bring back the message inbox to the Facebook app is a step in the right direction. As it will make the platform more user-friendly and convenient for its users. However, the company must also address the ongoing concerns over data privacy. And take steps to regain the trust of its users.
