During the opening keynote for Facebook’s F8 Developer Conference today, Mark Zuckerberg introduced Messenger Business, a new way for Facebook users to communicate with businesses directly within the Messenger app. The feature is part of the company’s launch of Messenger Platform, which will opening its API to third party developers.
Now, companies can now integrate Messenger as a way to provide customers purchase information, such as receipt and shipment trackers.
Facebook users can also shop straight through Messenger, using the platform like live support to chat with businesses and even make purchases directly within the thread. Because the account is already tied to a Facebook account, identity is already confirmed (although we assume you’ll still need to provide more data to approve purchases and returns).
It is unclear whether Messenger Business will be integrated with the mobile payment feature Facebook launched last week. Facebook also has not addressed whether these threads can be locked in case it contains personal information.
Facebook says Messenger Business will launch with a few partners though it did not specify when the service will officially roll out.
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