All the rumors have ended now. Starting from today, Facebook will allow businesses to deliver automated customer support, content, e-commerce guidance and interactive experiences through chatbots.
By providing utility through its business ecosystem, the largest social network in the world could make its Messenger a huge competitor and keep up with other messaging apps, like Telegram, Line and Kik that already have their own bot platforms. This release has confirmed all the rumors that have wandering around.
So, it was true. Facebook have worked with chatbot developers. Moreover, Facebook also announced chatbots partnerships with developers who already have access on the platform, for example 1-800-Flowers. This means that users will be able to order flowers by just sending its Messenger bots a friend’s name.
Another interesting thing is that CNN can send people a “daily digest” of stories that will match with users’ interests and skip the topics that they don’t want.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, has explained that with AI and natural language processing combined with human help, users will be able to talk to Messenger bots just like they interact with real humans.
So, how Messenger bots really works?
First of all, is it important to know that through Messenger Platform’s new Send/Receive API, bots will be able to send more than just text.
So, this means that bots will also respond with structured messages that will include links, call to action buttons and images. These responses will help users make an e-commerce order, restaurant reservation or schedule a flight.
To be added, that users can swipe through product carousels and tap out the web to pay for a purchase. It is important to know that at the moment, Facebook Messenger Platform doesn’t allow payments directly to Messenger.
Probably, users will notice that there is a new persistent search bar situated at the top of Messenger, which will help them discover bots. Without a doubt, chatbots have easily become the biggest attraction in tech world.
With their help, people will be able to easily interact with businesses and take commerce to a whole new level. Chatbots will also replace 1-800 numbers, offering a comfortable customer support experience, without needing to have phone conversations, annoying phones trees and hold times.
In the end, we must say that at the F8 conference, Maker Zuckerberg, has also talked about the latest events in the world. For example, the immigration problems that have been on the first pages in the last couple of months.
As I look around the world, I’m starting to see people and nations turning inward, against the idea of a connected world and a global community,” Zuckerberg declared.
I hear fearful voices calling for building walls and distancing people they label as ‘others.’ I hear them calling for blocking free expression, for slowing immigration, for reducing trade, and in some cases even for cutting access to the internet," he added.
He wanted to send a message to people around the world and tell them that it takes courage to choose hope over fear.
