Facebook launches new tools for Facebook Messenger

Messaging a business directly is a fast and convenient way for people to get in touch with questions about products and services, appointments, customer service and more. Plus, it allows businesses to build personal connections with the people who are interested in them.

Usernames help people find businesses

Usernames help people find businesses on both Facebook and Messenger, so they can connect with and message the businesses they're interested in more easily. Because each username is unique, they also help people to identify your exact business, even if you have a relatively common name.

To make it easier for people to identify and contact the businesses they want to connect with, Facebook is bringing Page usernames to the forefront. Each Page has a unique username that can be set and edited. Soon, your username will show up directly on your Page, underneath your Page title with an @ symbol before it. Pages that already have a vanity URL (unique URLs such as facebook.com/JaspersMarket) already have a username, because a Page's username (@JaspersMarket) and vanity URL are the same.

As these new features for usernames roll out over the coming weeks, Pages that do not have a username set up will see the option to select your username directly from your Page.

Messenger Links and Messenger Codes

Messenger Links - businesses can use to make it fast and easy for people to start a message thread with them. Messenger Links use a Page's username to create a short and memorable link (m.me/username) that, when clicked, opens a conversation with the business in Messenger.

Messenger Codes work in the same way. They're unique codes that people can scan in Messenger to open a message thread with your business. Businesses can use Messenger Links and Messenger Codes in ads, on their website or in any other marketing channel to prompt people to reach out to them directly. Add your username to the end of the url: m.me/______ to get your Messenger Link.

New Messenger Greetings

A new feature to improve communication with people in Messenger and Facebook is Messenger Greetings. These are customisable notes from the business that appear in a new message thread before messages are sent. Businesses can use this text to greet people and set a friendly tone while letting people know what types of messages are expected. Set and edit your greeting in your Page's Message Settings.

Get tips on how to use messaging for your Page most effectively.