Facebook Messenger - statistics & facts
Despite competing with the heavyweights of the industry, Facebook Messenger has made its own mark on the social environment. In 2024, WhatsApp was the most popular global mobile messenger app, followed by the Chinese WeChat. Facebook Messenger ranked third, with an estimated one billion monthly active users.
The Philippines was one of the main markets for the Messenger app, as around eight in 10 respondents reported using the Meta-owned platform. Reach among global users was comparably lower, as less than two in 10 internet users reported engaging with the app.
Even with the decrease in downloads, the number of global users estimated to engage with Facebook Messenger has remained partially constant between the beginning of 2022 and 2024, with a median audience of one billion users worldwide.
According to a survey of marketers conducted in August 2023, Facebook was considered the most trusted social media platform to deliver a positive return on investment by around 60 percent of respondents.
With their customer service, brand presence, and advanced OTT (over-the-top) voice and video calling, messaging apps have become more than simply communication channels. Despite belonging to the Meta Family of Apps, Messenger has experienced a slower growth compared to the other platforms and applications. Facebook Messenger has seen the number of its users stagnate at around one billion, while other chat apps such as its sister company, the Meta-branded WhatsApp, and privacy-focused Telegram have kept growing during the years of the pandemic. While its competitors solidify their stand-alone position within the digital market, Messenger has been carving out a place for itself by providing a connection between the social media platform Facebook and users or brands, supplying an unreplaceable functionality for its parent company Meta.
The Philippines was one of the main markets for the Messenger app, as around eight in 10 respondents reported using the Meta-owned platform. Reach among global users was comparably lower, as less than two in 10 internet users reported engaging with the app.
Messenger app reach and markets
Downloads of the Messenger app experienced a constant decrease between 2019 and 2023: in 2021, the combined downloads on Google Play and Apple App Store decreased by approximately 30 percent year-over-year, experiencing a decline of around 200 million downloads. The global outbreak of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021 appeared to slow the usage trend for the Messenger app, as competition from video format platforms such as Zoom or the top chat app WhatsApp increased their relevance on the digital market. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific market was the region recording the highest number of Facebook Messenger downloads, a consistent trend compared to previous years.Even with the decrease in downloads, the number of global users estimated to engage with Facebook Messenger has remained partially constant between the beginning of 2022 and 2024, with a median audience of one billion users worldwide.
How does Messenger make money?
Messenger business mobile has weathered the different trends within its category, such as adding commerce and payment features, as in the case of WeChat and the Japanese LINE. Ultimately, Facebook Messenger monetizes its presence via online advertising and by supporting brands in communicating with their customers via the platform. In 2020, Messenger saw in-app revenues of approximately 15 million U.S. dollars, but in 2023, the annual app revenue generated across the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store did not surpass two million U.S. dollars.According to a survey of marketers conducted in August 2023, Facebook was considered the most trusted social media platform to deliver a positive return on investment by around 60 percent of respondents.
With their customer service, brand presence, and advanced OTT (over-the-top) voice and video calling, messaging apps have become more than simply communication channels. Despite belonging to the Meta Family of Apps, Messenger has experienced a slower growth compared to the other platforms and applications. Facebook Messenger has seen the number of its users stagnate at around one billion, while other chat apps such as its sister company, the Meta-branded WhatsApp, and privacy-focused Telegram have kept growing during the years of the pandemic. While its competitors solidify their stand-alone position within the digital market, Messenger has been carving out a place for itself by providing a connection between the social media platform Facebook and users or brands, supplying an unreplaceable functionality for its parent company Meta.
