Meta tests reuniting Facebook and Messenger apps amid competition with TikTok
Facebook is testing the ability for users to access their Messenger inbox within its mobile app.
Facebook head Tom Alison said Tuesday that the company will expand the test soon as it looks for ways to integrate messaging features in the platform over the coming year.
"Ultimately, we want it to be easy and convenient for people to connect and share, whether in the Messenger app or directly within Facebook," Alison said in a blog post.
In 2014, Facebook announced it was removing its in-app messaging capabilities, pushing users to download Messenger to keep track of messages.
Meta has been working toward integrating messaging on Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, allowing cross-app communication. Instagram and Messenger users can already communicate between apps.
The move to bring back in-app messaging comes as Facebook looks to compete with TikTok, which allows users to share videos and communicate via built-in direct messaging.
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Reels on Facebook
Meta has bet on its short-form video feature Reels amid competition with other platforms.
Facebook announced last week it's extending Reels from 60 to 90 seconds and adding new creative tools. The move comes several months after Meta-owned Instagram extended Reels on its platform to 90 seconds as well.
Facebook launched Reels globally last year.
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