--- description: Get an overview of the Facebook Messenger channel and its capabilities. title: Facebook Messenger Overview image: https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F3f43c48b21b24f4e8b02b100c0c8fab0 --- [NewWe just raised $62.5M in Series B! 🎉 What it means for you![arrow-icon](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2Fe43213a7a9314673bd8d2060c25f9b87)](https://respond.io/blog/respond-io-raises-62-million-series-b) Help me with... ⌘ 1. [All Collections >](/help) 2. [ Channels >](/help/channels) 3. [ Facebook Messenger >](/help/facebook-messenger) 4. Facebook Messenger Overview # Facebook Messenger Overview ![](https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/1ZIFpcTS8Pjw6yyDoyFHOH/dce33d9449079b42d70032f4492b8fc7/logo-fb-messenger.png?fm=jpg&q=80&w=1024&fl=progressive) Facebook Messenger is the free instant messaging on Facebook that allows users to send text messages, photos, videos and voice messages. Learn how to [connect your Facebook page to respond.io here](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-quick-start). Once connected, Facebook has several features to help you encourage your current and potential customers to send a message to your Facebook Messenger. ## Pricing You can use Facebook Messenger for free. ## Capturing Conversation Facebook Messenger requires customers to send your business the first message to start a conversation. There are a few ways to encourage customers to initiate a chat: * [Chat links](https://respond.io/help/quick-start/getting-contacts-to-message-you): This is an [m.me](https://m.me/) URL that you can add to your website or in newsletters. When customers click the link, they will be directed to your Facebook Page in Messenger to chat with you. * [QR codes](https://respond.io/help/quick-start/getting-contacts-to-message-you): A QR code can be placed in physical locations, such as hotels, restaurants or malls. When customers scan the code, they will be directed to your Facebook Messenger to chat with you. * [Chat Plugin](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-chat-plugin): This allows customers to message you directly using the chat widget on your website. * [Facebook comment auto replies (private replies)](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/private-replies): You can set up your Facebook Page to automatically send a private message to any customer who comments on your Page's posts. * [Click to Messenger Ads](https://respond.io/blog/facebook-messenger-ads): These are Facebook ads that can be placed in various places on Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Instagram. When customers click the ad, they will be directed to your Facebook Messenger to chat with you. ## Channel Capabilities These are the capabilities of Facebook Messenger: * [Supported File Types](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#supported%5Ffile%5Ftypes) * [Message Status Availability](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#message%5Fstatus%5Favailability) * [Messaging Window](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#messaging%5Fwindow) * [Messenger Calls](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/messenger-call) * [Broadcasts](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#broadcasts) * [References](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#references) * [Rate Limits](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#rate%5Flimits) ## Supported File Types The file types supported by Facebook Messenger and the maximum file size for each type are as follows: * Image (25 MB) * Audio (25 MB) * Video (25 MB) > For any unsupported file type or file that exceeds the maximum file size sent via Facebook Messenger, the file will automatically be turned into a URL link on the respond.io platform. ## Message Status Availability The table outlines the availability of message statuses in Facebook Messenger. | Message Status | Availability | | -------------- | ------------ | | Sent | ✅ | | Delivered | ✅ | | Read | ✅ | | Failed | ✅ | ## Messaging Window When Contacts send a message to your business through this channel, you have 24 hours to reply to them. You can extend this window to 7 days with Facebook Message Tags. Learn more about [Facebook Message Tags here](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/message-tag). ## Broadcasts You can send a broadcast content to your Contacts, using a [Facebook Message Template](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-message-templates). Learn more about [how to send a broadcast here](https://respond.io/help/broadcasts/sending-a-simple-broadcast). > You are not allowed to send marketing messages to your Contacts without their permission. If this is detected by Facebook's algorithm, your business may be banned from sending messages. Learn how you can [request permission to send marketing messages here](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/messenger-platform/send-messages/recurring-notifications/). ## References References in Facebook Messenger are used to track the source of a conversation. By adding a referral parameter to the end of your [m.me](https://m.me/) URL, you can track where your Contacts are coming from when they click on the link. This information helps you to identify the best-performing content across various mediums like blogs, videos, social media and ads, so that you can optimize your campaigns to reach out to more customers. Learn how to [add a reference](https://respond.io/help/workspace-settings/growth-widgets) when creating a Facebook Widget or QR Code. > Due to changes implemented by Facebook for pages and users in the European Union, the reference will not be passed to our platform reliably by Facebook. Therefore, automation that requires a reference as a trigger will not work for some Contacts as expected. ## Rate Limits A rate limit is the number of API calls an app or user can make within a given time period defined by the channel. Learn more about the [rate limits for this channel here](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/overview/rate-limiting/). ## **Conversation Routing (May 2025 Update)** Starting May 2025, Meta is deprecating the Handover Protocol (HOP) and replacing it with **Conversation Routing**. This affects how conversations are assigned to apps connected to your Facebook Page. Key points: * **Default App** handles organic or non-ad conversations. * **Marketing App** handles ad-driven (Click to Messenger) conversations. * The **Human Agent Tag workaround is no longer valid** for thread control. * You must enable the **"Take control of conversations"** setting per app to ensure proper message handling. No action is required for most users, but we recommend validating your message flows post-migration. > [Learn more about Conversation Routing](https://respond.io/blog/chat-routing-contact-routing-workflows-module-respondio). ## Limitations ### Messenger ads with built-in forms Some Facebook Messenger ads use built-in forms to collect information before starting a conversation. Responses submitted through these forms are handled within Meta's ad automation and are not sent as individual Messenger messages. As a result: * Form responses will not appear in the Inbox. * Workflows cannot be triggered from those responses. ### Click-to-Chat ads (Android) Click-to-Chat ads opened in Messenger on Android may not appear as ad events, preventing related Workflows from being triggered. This is because referral data from _m.me_ links may not always be delivered. According to Meta, referrals from these links may not work reliably for: * Contacts using Messenger on Android devices * [Facebook Pages with geo-restrictions](https://www.facebook.com/help/778445532225441/) When the referral data is missing, the platform cannot detect the ad source, which leads to the missing ad event. This is a known limitation with no available workaround. ## FAQ and Troubleshooting ### How can I start a conversation with a Facebook Contact? Facebook rules say users must message you first before you can message them back. Learn how to [encourage users to initiate a chat here](https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#capturing%5Fconversation). ### Are there any restrictions to the type of messages that I can send to my Contacts? Following Facebook policy, businesses have up to 24 hours to respond to a Contact. We have added Human Tag which allows the conversation to stay open for 7 days. Learn more about it [here](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/messenger-platform/policy/policy-overview). ### How can I start a conversation when someone comments on my Facebook Page’s post? You can use private replies to automatically send a message to anyone who comments on one of your Page’s posts. If the Facebook user replies to this message, the reply will be shown in respond.io and the user will become a Contact. [Learn how to enable the feature](https://hi.switchy.io/1MBk). ### How can I verify my Facebook Business Manager Account? Go to [Facebook Business Settings](https://business.facebook.com/settings/info?business%5Fid=): 1. If you have more than one business, select the relevant business to verify status. 2. Under **Business Info**, find your **Business verification status**. 3. If your business is not verified, click **Start Verification**. The **Start Verification** button may appear disabled when you don't have an app associated with your business. In your [Facebook app dashboard](https://developers.facebook.com/apps) navigate to **Accounts** \> **Apps** and click **\+ Add** to add your business app. Return to the **Business Info** section and refresh the webpage. 4. Provide the following documentation to verify your Facebook Business Manager ID. ### Do you support Facebook Ads message? Messages sent in response to your ad will be shown along with the link to the advertisement. ### How can I create a QR Code for my Facebook Messenger account? 1. On the respond.io platform, click **Settings** \> **Growth Widget** \> **+** **Add Widget**. 2. Select **QR Code** option and click **Create Widget**. 3. Select **Facebook Messenger** as the QR code type > Select the connected Facebook Messenger page for which you want to create the QR code. 4. Click **Download** and select the size of the QR code you want to save. Learn more about [Growth Widgets](https://respond.io/help/workspace-settings/growth-widgets). Share this article [![Telegram](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F44daca77a4844f0c8fd29040ddeba057?width=22)](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview)[![Facebook](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets/11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5/fff57eeb01160bc604392f519b4f3461ca16f0fa1b6a587b20b142cdf1ad0ba7?placeholderIfAbsent=true&width=22)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview)[![Linkedin](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets/11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5/7aaf8d87b5410844d83e06a4ed663e4f551b8c5ef51dbb20a8ff064a1eed9a0f?placeholderIfAbsent=true&width=22)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview)[![Twitter](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F4e03e02422a94e8eab9b8b41457c2371?width=22)](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview) ## Related articles 👩‍💻 * [Facebook Chat PluginLearn how to add a Facebook Customer Chat Plugin to your website. ](/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-chat-plugin) * [Facebook Message TemplatesLearn more about Facebook Message Templates, why they replace message tags on respond.io, and how to use them to send compliant utility messages outside the 24-hour Messenger window under Meta’s latest policies. ](/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-message-templates) * [Facebook Messenger Quick StartConnect a Facebook Page to chat with customers over Facebook Messenger. ](/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-quick-start) * [Messenger CallsLearn how to use Messenger Call to receive and make calls. ](/help/facebook-messenger/messenger-call) * [Facebook Private RepliesAutomatically send a private message to users that comment on your Facebook Post. ](/help/facebook-messenger/private-replies) Can't find what you're looking for? 🔎 [Contact Support](/contact-us) 2026-10-16T08:04:07.469Z help ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"TechArticle","articleBody":"Get an overview of the Facebook Messenger channel and its capabilities.","author":{"@type":"Person","image":"https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/7tin8k9c1emscQGOhIuNbC/0ed3f91c8580c4e5dfa90f035355122e/Petrina_Jo_avatar.svg","name":"JQ Lee","url":"https://respond.io/author"},"dateCreated":"2023-10-13T02:31:15.000Z","dateModified":"2026-09-18T02:29:57.095Z","datePublished":"2023-10-13T02:31:15.000Z","headline":"Facebook Messenger Overview","image":"https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/1ZIFpcTS8Pjw6yyDoyFHOH/dce33d9449079b42d70032f4492b8fc7/logo-fb-messenger.png","mainEntityOfPage":"https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger","publisher":{"@id":"https://respond.io/#organization"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/1ZIFpcTS8Pjw6yyDoyFHOH/dce33d9449079b42d70032f4492b8fc7/logo-fb-messenger.png","url":"https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview"},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@id":"https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Help","item":"https://respond.io/help"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Channels","item":"https://respond.io/help/channels"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Facebook Messenger","item":"https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Facebook Messenger Overview","item":"https://respond.io/help/facebook-messenger/facebook-messenger-overview"}]},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://respond.io/#organization","name":"Respond.io","alternateName":"respond.io","url":"https://respond.io/","image":["https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F3f43c48b21b24f4e8b02b100c0c8fab0"],"logo":"https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F4045649d540241d398c39ab07b2b62bb","description":"Respond.io is an AI-powered customer conversation platform that helps businesses manage conversations, automate workflows and scale sales, marketing and support operations. 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