Facebook has launched their Messenger Chatbot API for Businesses and Developers
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The launch of Facebook’s chatbot API for Messenger has been released. The new API is directed at businesses to use the messenger tool for customer service with the option of automated responses. The concept is to drive a deeper engagement with users through the messenger tool, with people who are already on Facebook.
What is a Chatbot?
The messenger bot can send a variety of content to the user such as automated subscription content like weather and traffic updates, to more customised communications such as receipts, shipping notifications, product information and more.
Chatting to business via bots is nothing new however it is becoming a popular one. Michael Richardson who is a co-founder and CEO of an established bot company – Urban Airship commented:
“Chatbots opening up an engagement channel for businesses could be as monumental as app platforms adding push notifications. It’s about brands being able to further reduce the friction of serving more customers with lightweight, service-oriented interactions. Just like apps and mobile wallets, chatbots need to consider the user’s complete context with interactions flowing through the rest of the business. Great customer experiences and better business insights demand it”.
Future of Chatbots
Facebook has over 900 million people currently on Messenger, so why not interact with people on a different level where they are already on Facebook’s. This is where the idea came from as Facebook looks to increase its presence across the web. Live chat buttons redirect users to Messenger where wither a bot or human (or both) will interact.
You may already have an online business chat system in place and be familiar with the concept. We have personally found it useful on our Member Evolution Membership Software website. Where users ask questions and if we don’t respond in time a bot will send an automated message. It will be interesting to see how business adapts to these updates.
