Facebook has announced that the Messenger camera will no longer support scanning Messenger Codes and businesses will have to rely on traditional QR codes instead.
Facebook launched its Messenger Codes three years ago as an easy way to let users start conversations with each other and with businesses on Messenger, without even having to search for a name. One could just print scannable codes on marketing materials, like business cards, posters, leaflets and even OOH advertising and have people scan them to connect on Messenger. The feature seemed like a game changer at the time – but they obviously were not.
That’s because Facebook is removing support for scanning Messenger Codes from its Messenger camera. Businesses that are already using the feature will have to get rid of any printed or digitally available codes by August 15, 2019. On that day, the Messenger camera will no longer support scanning Messenger Codes.
Instead, Facebook recommends that businesses “take advantage of the phone’s native capabilities to scan QR codes with m.me links as a lightweight, efficient solution.”
Why is Facebook doing this? Well, probably because it tried to set a standard, and that didn’t work out. It’s also much simpler to use the widely acceptable QR codes solution, rather than using its own proprietary standard. If Facebook is indeed about to integrate all its services into one, there is no place for Messenger Codes. Besides, the Facebook app can already scan QR codes anyway.
So, if you’re using a Messenger code in combination with a bot, you will still be able to. You’ll just have to switch to a QR code.
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