July 27, 2017

Messenger Platform v2.1

• Built-in NLP is a simple way for developers to incorporate natural language processing into their bots. Built-in NLP automatically detects meaning and information in the text of messages, before it gets passed to the bot.

• Handover protocol enables cross app collaboration within a single Messenger experience. The handover protocol enables businesses to create multiple experiences within a single bot.

• Enhancements:

  • The new SDK for payments makes the Messenger webview payment process easier and more efficient. Customers can now pay using a one-step process through Messenger webview. The webview payments SDK for Messenger Platform v1.2 - 2.0 is now deprecated - support will continue for these versions through February 1, 2018.
  • Added expanded set of Facebook Page buttons: Shop Now, Get Support, Get Updates, Play Now and Get Started.
  • Added desktop support for Messenger Extensions SDK that extends functionality across mobile and web. This allows features like user ID and sharing to be available on desktop.
  • Updated customer matching API allows matching prior to sending a message to a phone number, and optionally a name, via the API.
  • Added Chat Extensions for Global Pages. Enables thread sharing across regions using the webview and Chat Extension.
  • Added policy enforcement notifications, which send notifications when a bot has been blocked or policy issues arise.
  • Added new messaging tags to make it easier to respond to customers’ questions and provide updates: APPOINTMENT_UPDATE, GAME_EVENT, TRANSPORTATION_UPDATE, FEATURE_FUNCTIONALITY_UPDATE, TICKET_UPDATE.

April 18, 2017

Messenger Platform v2.0

• Discover tab added to Messenger, showcasing popular bots in our ecosystem, nearby places that people can message, and businesses that offer support or answer questions.

• Chat Extensions lets bots build interactive, social features that users can invoke directly into their conversations via the composer.

• Parametric Messenger Codes let a bot dynamically generate multiple Messenger codes that provide different functionality when they are scanned. Users can also now scan codes by holding down on the main camera interface in Messenger.

• Enhancements:

  • The ID Matching API enables the pairing of ASIDs and PSIDs between an app and a bot belonging to the same business

  • Open Graph Template lets bots send open graph content directly to threads. Currently supports only music URLs natively with inline playback.

  • Bots can now access referral information when users enter via a Messenger Ads.

  • Released the Platform Design Kit, a library of components for designing bots.

April 5th, 2017

• Introduced Message Tags, allowing several use-cases for messages to be sent beyond the 24+1 limit.

March 2nd, 2017

Messenger Platform v1.4

• Completely re-designed Persistent Menu with several major changes:
  • Up to 3 levels of submenus
  • Ability to turn off freeform input
  • Localization support
• Several new sharing features to help your bot gain viral traction:
  • Links shared from webview now automatically contain attribution link back to your bot. Can be disabled.
  • Customized Sharing from webview via Messenger Extensions
  • Share button now allows specifying a message, rather than only sharing the bubble it was included in.
  • Bot deep-links via m.me now supported via all the above-mentioned messages.
• Added Messenger Profile API for accessing your bot's properties. Replaces the Thread Settings API. Added a way to set a target audience for your bot.
• Improved Customer Matching. Increased match rate and ability to react when the user accepts your bot's message request.
• Added Page Messaging Insights API
• Added Messenger Code API to programatically fetch the Messenger Code for a bot or page.
• Added pre-checkout webhook event for payments
• Added Attachment Upload API
• Enhancements:
  • Ability to get supported features in the webview
  • Generic templates have an image aspect ratio option.
  • Increased text limit for messages and button template from 320 to 640 characters
  • Increased limit on quick replies to 11 items

November 8th, 2016

Messenger Platform v1.3

• Support for Ref Param in m.me links
• New Checkbox Plugin
• New List Template
• Tokenized Payments support. Payments still in BETA, request access.
• Better Testing for Payments. You don't have to be whitelisted to start testing.
• Added list of apps running a page. You can find it in to Page Settings/Messaging tab.
• Improved error reporting and clear subcodes
• Deprecation announcement: seq id field on inbound messages

September 12th, 2016

Messenger Platform v1.2

• Introduced Payments in beta! Request access through this form.
  • For native payments use new Buy Button along with Generic template
  • For payments from the web see Webviews and Extensions
• Added Webviews and Extensions to get user id for personalization, close the webview and call payments in the browser
• Added Share Button type (currently supported in Generic template only) so that people can share message bubbles
• Added Icons support to Quick Replies
• Added Location Quick Reply type
• Added webview_height_ratio parameter for Url Button to customize webview height
• Added attachments reuse support so that you don't have to upload the same attachments every time

Also:

• Messenger Destination Ads are now available under the website clicks objective - that means you can acquire users directly into your bot with no friction
• Export your bot analytics on the app level to see block rates and open threads for all your pages.
• New welcome screen when people first enter a conversation with your bot

August 30th, 2016

• Added client-side events for the "Send to Messenger" plugin

August 15th, 2016

• Added a new doc: Messenger Platform Policy Overview. Please review as policy changes may impact your integration.
• Re-added the Complete Guide which has now been broken up into multiple sections.
• Doc navigation changes.

July 1st, 2016

Send API

• Video, audio, gif and file sends. Support both URLs and file upload.
• Sender Actions: set read receipts and typing indicators.

Receive API

• New event: message_echoes. Allows developers to receive all messages sent by pages.
• New event: message_reads. To notify the developer/page a message was read.
• New field: app_id, to identify the source of the bot message.
• New field: metadata, passed from the Send API and sent to the message_echoes callback, to help interoperability betwen multiple bots.

User experience

• Breaking change: Get Started button. Triggers a postback received callback instead of firing a message automatically.
• New input style: Quick replies. A new way for bots to receive input with ephemeral buttons attached to the last message
• New button type: Phone number to invoke the native phone dialer
• New thread setting: Persistent menu. Supports postbacks and urls with up to five elements
• New thread setting: Greeting text. To communicate your bot's functionality to first-time users.
• Browser close. To allow automatically closing the browser window at the end of a custom web UI flow.
• Account linking and unlinking: secure protocol for businesses to retrieve a page scoped user ID from within Messenger
• Bot feedback: Users are able to leave a 5-star review and provide feedback for developers.

April 12th, 2016

• Messenger Platform launched.