TL;DR
- A messaging app is a platform or application that allows users send instant messages to one another via desktop or mobile devices.
- There is an increasing number of messaging services and virtual applications worldwide.
- While messaging apps are useful, we need to watch out for security risks and spam during our everyday use.
Introduction
The way human beings communicate with each other has changed drastically. Thanks to the internet, communication and information sharing have become easier than ever. One of the key communication tools in today’s day and age is messaging apps.
In this article, we will guide you through the definition of messaging apps and what they can do to better our lives.
What are messaging apps?
A messaging app is a chat platform or application that allows users to connect and send instant messages to one another via their desktop or mobile devices.
A far greater variety of data formats than Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) can be sent or received via messaging apps. Users can exchange files, photographs, audio messages, location data, and emojis in addition to phone calls, video calls, and text.
How popular are messaging apps?
The popularity of these messaging apps can be seen worldwide.
According to Data Reportal, messaging platforms rank first among the top types of websites visited and applications used. Every minute in 2021, nearly 70 million messages were shared via WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger only (Source: Webforum).
WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging tool in more than 150 countries,. In South America, the Middle East, and Africa, Viber and Telegram are among the most prevalent applications.
What can messaging apps do?
Stay connected anytime, anywhere
Messaging apps help initiate new contacts as well as stay in touch with existing contacts. They provide a platform for interactions that are more conversational in nature by facilitating a real-time dialogue as opposed to the stilted style of emails.
Get up-to-date
With direct messages and group chats, messaging apps are a terrific way to communicate. Team members can exchange information quickly with one another without inbox overwhelm.
Using chat groups, people can discuss a wide range of topics, from work and study to entertainment, pretty much everything.
Use emojis and stickers to express your emotions
Emojis and stickers in messaging apps rule the digital communication universe. For example, users send more than 380 million stickers per day on Facebook Messenger alone.
Stickers are a low-risk way to strike up a conversation with a new friend or acquaintance. They can also help you avoid embarrassing situations especially if you have a socially awkward personality.
Support interactions with customers
Chat apps have expanded to be a crucial and necessary component for businesses to implement digital marketing strategies and customer relationship management at the right time and in the right way. This improves the quality of transactions and fosters empathy, trust, and user loyalty.
For example, companies can use chat apps to better understand their customers and set up spaces for 1-on-1 interactions and support.
The practice of incorporating customer administration tasks into chat applications is growing all around the world.
WeChat in China allows users to call a taxi, order takeout, buy movie tickets, check a flight, pay online, and serve as a messaging and file-sharing network. Everything can be done through a WeChat app.
Similarly, Line from Japan and KakaoTalk from Korea have unique mobile commerce features.
What do we need to watch out for when using messaging apps?
Using messaging apps is not without risk. Below are some factors you should watch out for in these virtual communication environments.
Security
Upon using the messaging apps, it is likely to face personal identity risks.
This is because to establish and authenticate an account, most require users to provide personal information, including their phone number, email address, or social media profile. If the servers are attacked, such data is very likely to be compromised.
Furthermore, if messages are not protected with end-to-end encryption or any other methods, they can easily be read and/or censored by a third party.
In the event of a data breach, the hacker will have unlimited access to user information; they can then trade it for money or publish it publicly, either of which is detrimental to those involved.
Spam messages
Spam refers to unwanted and uninvited messages. When using messaging apps, users may encounter spam messages every day. In some specific cases, spam can even contain viruses and spyware.
Closing thoughts
Messaging apps are of much help to us in various situations. A trickier question for users now is probably “how to choose a good messaging app?”. Though the definition of “good” may vary, there are some fundamental principles we can rely on.
Our upcoming articles will go into further detail. Stay tuned!
