Facebook recently announced new features and improvements to its Messenger Platform which developers have been yearning for. These changes were designed to enhance existing conversations. Messenger Platform v1.3 promises to bring more opportunities for users to effectively reach and engage the one billion people using the application monthly.

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The new features and updates include parameter passing for M.me links, a new list of template, a new checkbox plugin, and even a payment feature, which is in beta and only available to the US for the meantime.

Facebook developers have stated that there is a need for better ways to understand people when they choose to engage with bots. With referral parameters for M.me links introduced into the overall system process, it is now possible to easily identify how one person found another in Messenger. This also allows effective measurement of traffic attribution for bots which helps determine the best entry point to the users' Messenger experience.

Another great scenario in which this change will come into play is the creation of dedicated entry points for specific features and process flows within a bot. It is now easy to implement a coupon program and enhance as well as track virality data through the use of a referral program.

The new list template creates another way for users to build structured information hierarchy into messages. This vertical template provides flexibility around formatting as each row interacts by tapping, and CTAs can be added to each row or at the bottom of the template. This bodes well with intentions of showing people item collections, if set to preview mode in the configuration, so end users can understand their options by viewing a single screen.

The updates are also favorable to business identities as it gives them the option to opt in or out of Messenger interactions during existing user experience, like sign up and contact and check out processes. App developers who are building integrated applications can now add a checkbox plugin to allow users to enter into a Messenger conversation with your business, should they choose to.

But driving people to use and communicate with businesses through Messenger is not enough so sponsored messages have been added into the feature list. Sponsored messages are highly targeted, in-context type of advertisements that allow businesses to re-engage people who have an open, existing and prior conversation with their business. This feature gives businesses the ability to send targeted information feed on their promotions, offers and any other relevant messages.

The new payments update will allow businesses to process payments within both messages and web view. This new feature, which is still in beta form, is for those who are not integrated with Stripe or PayPal. This option activates when a user makes a payment as Facebook will send the business a single-use, tokenized credential allowing them in that instance to integrate with their preferred online payment provider.

Overall, these new additions to the extensive feature list of Facebook's Messenger have been welcomed by businesses and their developers. It is certain that there are more updates to come before the year ends.