Meta has introduced a new “Communities” feature on Messenger, confirmed by the company to TechCrunch. This feature aims to assist organizations, schools, and other private groups in communicating more effectively. Following the introduction of Communities on WhatsApp in 2022, this new addition extends similar capabilities to Messenger.
Connecting Without Facebook Groups
With the new Communities feature, users can connect with others without needing an associated Facebook Group. While Meta introduced Community Chats on Messenger in 2022 for real-time connections within Facebook Groups, this feature allows users to create dedicated spaces for real-time communication directly on Messenger.
The launch suggests Meta’s intent to enhance Messenger’s functionality, setting it apart from other messaging services like iMessage. It also indicates a move to integrate a broader social networking aspect within Messenger, enabling users to find and connect with their community directly on the app.
Communities consolidate multiple group chats in one place and include a dedicated “Home” space for admins to share updates and announcements. According to Meta, up to 5,000 people can join a community via shareable invites.
Versatile Uses for Communities
This feature can create dedicated spaces for various purposes, such as organizations, schools, PTAs, and neighborhoods. It can also connect friends with similar interests. For instance, a neighborhood could use a Community to keep everyone updated on topics like upcoming events, security alerts, and trash pickup schedules. Similarly, a school could create a Community with dedicated group chats for all grades, allowing parents to join relevant conversations.
Differences from WhatsApp Communities
Although Communities on Messenger are similar to those on WhatsApp, a key difference is that Messenger Communities are linked to Facebook’s social graph. Unlike WhatsApp, which requires a phone number to invite someone, Messenger allows Community builders to grow their communities by inviting Facebook friends and friends of friends.
According to Meta’s help page, Communities on Messenger are designed for more public conversations compared to Facebook Groups. All current and future members of a Community can see chat content.
The new feature is now rolling out to all users globally.
