“A leaked document Facebook sent to some of its biggest advertisers reveals that Facebook will launch ads within Messenger in Q2 2016,” TechCrunch reported Friday.

Not surprisingly, some users — most, as far as we can tell — aren’t thrilled by the idea. But if they want to keep using Messenger for free, they may have to get used to it, assuming the report is based on facts.
For now, Facebook hasn’t confirmed or denied the alleged plan.

The document, obtained by TechCrunch but kept private to protect its verified source, says businesses will be able to send ads as messages to people who previously initiated a chat thread with that company.

To “prepare” for the forthcoming opportunity, the document reportedly encourages businesses to get consumers “to start message threads with them now so they’ll be able to send them ads when the feature launches.”

How do you feel about Messenger being used to send ads to your inbox?

The post Facebook Messenger: The Bearer of Ad News? appeared first on Mobile Marketing Watch.

Thanks to the update, which was made available on Thursday, users can now send voice messages up to one minute in length to their friends.

So far, the reviews have been very positive toward the new Facebook feature – an important reality for the social network as it becomes an ever bigger force to be reckoned with in mobile.

Although Facebook certainly isn’t a pioneer in terms of this feature (WhatsApp, HeyTell, and others have done practically the same thing), Facebook’s ability to bestow the feature upon 1 billion users is definitely significant.

Although the voice-mail-style service is available globally, Facebook has much more in the works for later this year and beyond.

Facebook app users in Canada, for example, were given a feature the rest of the world is yet to see – the ability to use Facebook to make VoIP calls. If the platform thrives in Canada, there’s no telling how soon before the rest of the world gets to enjoy the same or similar features.

All told, the updated apps represent a positive sign for the social network, which is working overtime to make its mobile apps as cutting edge as possible in today’s increasingly competitive social landscape.

The post Facebook Brings Voice to iOS, Android Messenger appeared first on Mobile Marketing Watch.