• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

Facebook’s Group Chats Get New Features That Make Messaging Easier

By
Lisa Eadicicco
Lisa Eadicicco
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lisa Eadicicco
Lisa Eadicicco
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 23, 2017, 7:34 PM ET

Facebook is adding two new features to Messenger that could make group chats more manageable, the company announced on Thursday. The chat app will now support the ability to leave reactions on specific messages and tag individual members of a conversation.

Reactions in Messenger will work similarly to those in Facebook’s main app. Holding down on a message will pull up the list of emojis to choose from, which include symbols for love, smile wow, angry, sad, yes and no. Users will be able to see which reactions were left on a certain note and the number of people who reacted by looking at the lower corner of the message. Those using Messenger will receive a notification when another member of the chatroom leaves a reaction on a message they’ve sent.

Apple debuted a similar capability in the updated version of its iMessage app that launched in September. Those using Apple’s messaging service can hold their finger on a message to leave a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, exclamation points, question mark, or a “Ha Ha” symbol on a particular text.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Facebook is also rolling out a feature that lets Messenger users tag other participants in a mention by typing the “@” symbol before his or her name. The person mentioned will receive a specific type of notification to let them know that they’ve been called out, but they can choose to turn off these alerts. Such capabilities have been popular in services like Twitter, Slack, and Facebook’s main app for years.

The additions are crucial if Facebook wants to hold its lead as one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, especially as the competition thickens from companies like Apple, Google, Snap Inc., Tencent (which owns WeChat) and Naver (Line’s parent firm).

How to Save Money on Video Games

The new messaging features could make Messenger more appealing to those using it for group conversations, since mentions could prevent the need to scroll through a lengthy thread to see the most relevant messages. Reactions, meanwhile, could make group threads more concise by offering participants a shorter way to respond to messages.

This story was originally published on TIME.com.

About the Author
By Lisa Eadicicco
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.