Since Facebook separated the messaging part of their website into an independent application called Messenger, they've been building up some really fantastic user numbers.
Facebook Messenger has developed at an exponential rate over the last five years and has fast evolved.
According to Facebook Messenger stats, it is the second most popular messaging app as of 2022. Chances are you're using it too.
We at HostingTribunal have compiled a list of Facebook Messenger statistics that demonstrate its growth over the years, its market worth, and its importance to users and businesses.
Let’s see what the numbers will reveal.
Captivating Facebook Messenger Stats to Keep in Mind in 2022
- There are 1.3 billion Messenger users worldwide.
- 2.5 billion individuals use either Facebook, Messenger, or both.
- Every day, 260 million new conversations begin on this app.
- The Facebook Messenger app is used by over 1.3 billion people globally on a monthly basis.
- About 20 billion messages are exchanged each month on this app between companies and individuals.
- Facebook Messenger is used by 64% of Facebook users.
- Over two million people download the application monthly from the Apple App Store, making it one of the most popular social media platforms in the US.
- Marketing messages sent through this platform have an average open rate of 70%-80%.
- 60 million businesses have sent an estimated 2 billion messages using Facebook Messenger.
Facebook Messenger Statistics
Messenger, which is a part of Facebook, is one of the most popular applications in the world used by billions of people.
Let’s take a quick look at some amazing Facebook Messenger facts and stats that demonstrate the scope of its popularity.
1. Messenger appeared in 2008.
(Source: Messenger People)
Facebook Messenger was first launched as Facebook Chat in 2008. The company updated its messaging service in 2010 and then published independent iOS and Android applications in August 2011.
As of 2022, if you don't have a Facebook account, you cannot use Messenger.
2. Voice calls through Messenger use an average of 333 KB/minute or 260 MB for an hour.
(Source: Pinngle)
How much data does messenger use? That varies depending on what you use it for.
Making a voice call will take 333 KB/minute from your data plan on average. This all depends on your internet speed and voice call quality.
3. Facebook Messenger is the second most downloaded mobile app of the last decade.
(Source: App Annie)
The Facebook Messenger popularity on mobile devices is nothing short of astonishing. It was the second most downloaded app between 2010 and 2019 after Facebook.
Communication and social networking apps, in general, were customer favorites, accounting for seven of the top ten downloads this decade.
4. Businesses and customers exchange 20+ billion messages every month.
(Source: Social Media Today)
Facebook is extremely popular among businesses as well.
Companies can now provide real-time information to millions of consumers simultaneously, thanks to the launch of auto-responders and chatbots on the Facebook Messenger platform.
Facebook Messenger stats show that the number of bots alone reached 300,000.
5. Every day, over 260 million new interactions begin on the Facebook Messenger platform.
(Source: Inc)
These are not just new ties connecting people but also between individuals and enterprises. The number is expected to grow significantly in the near future, as many businesses start to realize the importance of the platform and add chatbots.
6. Facebook Messenger was downloaded 404 million times in 2020 alone.
(Source: Forbes)
People turned to online communication as the pandemic disrupted our normal lives. Messenger was the fourth most downloaded app, right after WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
The top ten platforms in that classification all have a communication element!
7. More than 5 million GIFs are sent every day via Messenger.
(Source: Facebook)
Emojis and GIFs are a great way to share expressions among friends and family. According to recent Facebook Messenger stats, more than 5 million GIFs are sent every day.
Given the popularity of GIFs among the young generation, the number is likely to rise in the near future.
Facebook Messenger Users
Since its launch in 2011, Facebook Messenger has amassed over one billion monthly active users.
In this segment, we present you with the most recent information on the behavior and basic statistics of the platform’s user base.
8. Messenger has 1.3 billion active monthly users.
(Source: Statista)
As of January 20, 2021, Facebook Messenger has 1.3 billion active monthly users. That equates to 23% of the world population over the age of 13.
The number of Facebook active users is even higher than that of Messenger. Given the popularity of messaging apps, though, those numbers may reverse.
9. Nearly 25% of Facebook Messenger users in the US are between the ages of 25 and 35.
(Source: Statista)
Next in line are individuals between the ages of 35 and 44, which account for a little over 20%.
The average age of Facebook users in the United States is 40 years old. The average age of Messenger users might be a little less, given the popularity of the platform among the young generation.
People aged 18-24 account for 24.7% and those between 45 and 54—for 15.9% of Messenger’s user base.
10. 55.8% of Messenger users in the United States are female, while 44.2% are male.
(Source: Statista)
Although the distribution among men and women is relatively even, Facebook Messenger is slightly more popular among females in the United States.
11. 41% of people in the US use Facebook Messenger monthly.
(Source: Statista)
Do you know how many people use Facebook Messenger in the US?
With 136 million monthly active users, which accounts for 41% of the total population, Messenger is the most popular mobile messaging app in the US.
The platform is the most popular one in more than 15 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Philippines, Poland, Sweden, and Thailand.
12. 410 million users video chat on Messenger monthly.
(Source: Social Media Today)
The Facebook Messenger platform is not good solely for texting. The application has a function that allows you to make both video and voice calls for free. And people take advantage of it.
13. More than 110 million people use Messenger in India.
(Source: NepoleonCat)
Looking at the count of Facebook users by country, it becomes obvious that the app is most popular in India, with about 112 million accounts.
The majority of Messenger users there is male, accounting for more than 78%.
Facebook Market Share
The popularity of the app is nothing short of astonishing. The number of Messenger users is rapidly increasing along with its market value.
We compiled a list of stats that shows the growth of Messenger over the years and its dominance in the messaging world.
14. Facebook's ad revenue in Q1 of 2021 was $25.4 billion.
(Source: Statista)
The overall ad revenue of Facebook was $25.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Ads show up on Facebook’s messaging and networking sites, including Messenger, Instagram, and other third-party applications. Additional income flows yielded $732 million.
15. 98% of Facebook revenue comes from advertisements.
(Source: Investopedia)
Facebook Messenger statistics show that Facebook recorded an advertising revenue of $84.2 billion in 2020. This equals 98% of the corporation’s income.
This profit is generated by presenting ad products on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and other online third parties properties.
16. Facebook Messenger Ads can lower lead costs 30-50 times.
(Source: Mobile Monkey)
Advertisers that utilize Facebook tools are accustomed to high-cost ad campaigns. Traditional advertising is clogged with rivals, causing bids to skyrocket.
Click-to-Messenger ads, on the other hand, have relatively modest expenses, implying reduced overall client acquisition expenses.
17. Messenger now has more than 200 million active business users.
(Source: Facebook)
Companies are already utilizing Facebook Messenger to efficiently engage with their consumers. According to Facebook data, there are over 200 million companies actively using Messenger.
Given how many people use Facebook Messenger, it is undoubtedly an excellent approach for businesses to contact their target demographic.
18. Facebook Messenger advertising has up to 80 times higher engagement rates than email marketing.
(Source: Search Engine Journal)
Chatbots are outperforming email in terms of open and click-through rates by a lot. The average email open rate is 20%, while Messenger reaches an astonishing 80%-90%.
Facebook Messenger Alternatives
As a go-to instant messaging program, Facebook Messenger has ruled supreme.
Let’s see how it performs compared to other popular messaging apps.
19. WhatsApp and Messenger go toe to toe.
(Source: Statista)
Facebook Messenger vs WhatsApp: which platform is better?
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app, with over 2 billion monthly users. The messaging app from Facebook is used for sending text, photos, audio, and video messages. Messenger is not far behind with 1.3 billion.
So which one is better? It all depends on your personal preference. But the profit goes to Facebook either way.
20. WeChat is slowly reaching Messenger in terms of monthly users.
(Source: Statista)
Another fierce competition between messaging platforms is that of WeChat vs Facebook Messenger. WeChat’s active account count has been continually increasing, reaching 1.24 billion monthly active users in Q1 of 2021.
WeChat's main benefit is that it can be used in China, unlike Facebook, which is blocked by a firewall there.
Although you can get past that with a good VPN like VPNArea or Hotspot Shield, using WeChat is still the easier option.
21. There are already over 300,000 Facebook Messenger Chatbots on the market.
(Source: Forbes)
A chatbot is a program that interacts with website visitors to answer inquiries, offers information, promotes items, and guides buyers through the purchasing process.
Considering how many chatbots are on Messenger, you’ve probably used one too.
Statistics show that approximately 59% of millennials and 60% of Gen X in the US have engaged with chatbots.
According to a Facebook poll, 53% of customers are more likely to buy something from a company they can communicate with via chat.
22. Signal, Telegram, and Threema are some of the less popular but still successful Messenger alternatives.
(Source: Make Tech Easier)
There are tons of apps like Messenger available on the internet. However, Signals, Telegram, and Threema might come in handy if you are tired of the messenger.
Signal is arguably one of the most secure messaging apps available on the market. Each audio or video call on the platform is encrypted.
Telegram’s interface is similar to that of Messenger. But the app has one key advantage—you can have up to 200,000 people in one chat.
Threema is another privacy-focused option that is swiftly gaining traction. With it, all of your contact lists, groups, and user profiles are stored on your device instead of its servers.
Wrap Up
Thanks to the statistics above, you now know what Facebook Messenger is and where it stands compared to other platforms.
Although it’s been in business for years, the brand hasn’t lost its clout in the social media sector. It continues to influence the mechanics of online communication.
These Facebook Messenger stats showed you how it has evolved into one of Facebook's most important services. And it’s continually changing to keep up with technology innovations and the expectations that come with them.
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Unaware that life beyond the internet exists, Nick is poking servers and control panels, playing with WordPress add-ons, and helping people get the hosting that suits them.
