Facebook Messenger, is one of the most widely used instant messaging platforms, but it has its detractors who don’t want to have a Facebook account. Facebook has today announced that users in selected countries can now sign up for Messenger without a Facebook account.
In their latest update, users will be able to use all the Messenger features – chat (including group chat), Photo Sharing, Voice and Video calling, stickers and more without an account – just a phone number. Users in Canada, the United States, Peru and Venezuela will be prompted for a phone number at the welcome screen after hitting the ‘Not on Facebook’ option, after which they can then add profile details including name and photo.
Facebook is still pushing people to sign up for a Facebook account though – all those ‘active user’ metrics certainly have Facebook in front in the social media race. Facebook points out that having a Facebook account means you can easily message all your Facebook friends and contacts and access their Facebook pages for them as well.
Facebook hasn’t announced if or when this feature will roll out to other countries, but we’ll keep checking back.
