Editing Instant messaging (section)

== Overview ==
{{See also|Synchronous computer-mediated communication}}
Instant messaging (IM), sometimes also called "messaging" or "[[texting]]", consists of computer-based human communication between two users ([[private message|private messaging]]) or more ([[chat room]] or "group") in real-time, allowing immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply. This is in direct contrast to [[email]], where conversations are not in real-time, and the perceived quasi-[[Synchronization|synchrony]] of the communications by the users<ref>{{Cite web |title=8 Examples of Instant Messaging {{!}} ezTalks |url=https://www.eztalks.com/unified-communications/examples-of-instant-messaging.html |access-date=2020-08-06 |website=www.eztalks.com}}</ref> (although many systems allow users to send offline messages that the other user receives when logging in).

Earlier IM networks were limited to text-based communication, not dissimilar to mobile [[text messaging]]. As technology has moved forward, IM has expanded to include [[Voice over IP|voice calling]] using a [[microphone]], [[videotelephony]] using [[webcam]]s, file transfer,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Catherine |date=2013-12-11 |title=Top 10 Apps for Instant Messaging (Infographic) |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230335 |access-date=2020-08-06 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}</ref> location sharing, image and video transfer, voice notes, and other features.<ref name="zdnet"/>

IM is conducted over the Internet or other types of [[computer network|network]]s (see also [[LAN messenger]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-09-01 |title=Part 1. Introduction: The basics of instant messaging |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2004/09/01/part-1-introduction-the-basics-of-instant-messaging/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech |language=en-US}}</ref> Depending on the IM protocol, the technical architecture can be [[peer-to-peer]] (direct [[Point-to-point (telecommunications)|point-to-point]] transmission) or [[client–server model|client–server]] (when all clients have to first connect to the central server). Primary IM services are controlled by their corresponding companies and usually follow the client-server model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-03-28 |title=How Instant Messaging Works |url=https://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/instant-messaging.htm |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en-us}}</ref>

The term "Instant Messenger" is a [[service mark]] of [[Time Warner]] and may not be used in software not affiliated with [[AOL]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/foia/ttab/decsum/2006/16jan06.pdf|title=Summary of Final Decisions Issued by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008035329/https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/foia/ttab/decsum/2006/16jan06.pdf|archive-date=8 October 2012|access-date=2012-05-11}}</ref> For this reason, in April 2007, the instant messaging client formerly named [[Gaim]] (or gaim) announced that they would be renamed "[[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pidgin.im/index.php?id=177|title=Important and Long Delayed News|date=April 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408150853/http://www.pidgin.im/index.php?id=177|archive-date=April 8, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Clients ===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Instant messengers protocols.svg|thumb|Instant messengers by protocol, as of 2019]]
{{See also|Comparison of instant messaging clients|Comparison of user features of messaging platforms|Comparison of LAN messengers}}

Modern IM services generally provide their own client, either a separately installed application or a [[browser-based]] client. They are normally centralised networks run by the servers of the platform's operators, unlike [[peer-to-peer]] protocols like [[XMPP]]. These usually only work within the same IM network, although some allow limited function with other services (see [[#Interoperability]]). Third-party client software applications exist that will connect with most of the major IM services. There is the class of instant messengers that uses the [[serverless computing|serverless]] model, which doesn't require servers, and the IM network consists only of clients. There are several serverless messengers: [[RetroShare]], [[Tox (protocol)|Tox]], [[Bitmessage]], [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]], [[Ring (software)|Ring]]. See also: [[LAN messenger]].

Some examples of popular IM services today include [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]], [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]], [[WhatsApp Messenger]], [[WeChat]], [[Tencent QQ|QQ Messenger]], [[Viber]], [[Line (application)|Line]], and [[Snapchat]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} The popularity of certain apps greatly differ between different countries. Certain apps have an emphasis on certain uses - for example, [[Skype]] focuses on [[video calling]], [[Slack (software)|Slack]] focuses on messaging and file sharing for work teams, and Snapchat focuses on image messages. Some social networking services offer messaging services as a component of their overall platform, such as [[Facebook]]'s [[Facebook Messenger chatbots|Facebook Messenger]], who also own [[WhatsApp]]. Others have a direct IM function as an additional adjunct component of their [[social networking platform]]s, like [[Instagram]], [[Reddit]], [[Tumblr]], [[TikTok]], [[Clubhouse (app)|Clubhouse]] and [[Twitter]]; this also includes for example [[dating website]]s, such as [[OkCupid]] or [[PlentyofFish|Plenty of Fish]], and [[Voice chat in online gaming|online gaming]] chat platforms.

=== Features ===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Pidgin screenshot.png|thumb|upright|A [[buddy list]] on [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]]]]

====Private and group messaging====
Private chat allows users to converse privately with another person or a group. Privacy can also be enhanced in several ways, such as [[end-to-end encryption]] by default. [[Chatroom|Public and group chat]] features allow users to communicate with multiple people simultaneously.

====Calling====
Many major IM services and applications offer a call feature for user-to-user voice calls, conference calls, and voice messages. The call functionality is useful for professionals who utilize the application for work purposes and as a hands-free method. [[Videotelephony]] using a [[webcam]] is also possible by some.

====Games and entertainment====
Some IM applications include in-app games for entertainment. [[Yahoo! Messenger]], for example, introduced these where users could play a game and viewed by friends in real-time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altaba.com/news-releases/news-release-details/yahoo-messenger-launches-imvironmentstm-next-generation-yahoo|title = Yahoo! Messenger Launches "Imvironments™" with Next Generation of Yahoo! Messenger Service &#124; Altaba Inc}}</ref> [[MSN Messenger]] featured a [[Games and applications for Windows Live Messenger|number of playable games]] within the interface. Facebook's [[Facebook Messenger|Messenger]] has had a built-in option to play games with people in a chat, including games like [[Tetris]] and [[Blackjack]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-30 |title=How to play ALL of Facebook Messenger's new games |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a788495/hidden-facebook-games-how-to-find-play-facebook-messengers-secret-games-basketball-chess/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Discord]] features multiple games built inside the "activities" tab in [[Voice chat in online gaming|voice channels]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discord Activities: Play Games and Watch Together |url=https://discord.com/blog/server-activities-games-voice-watch-together |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=discord.com}}</ref>

====Payments====
A relatively new feature to instant messaging, peer-to-peer payments are available for financial tasks on top of communication. The lack of a service fee also makes these advantageous to financial applications. IM services such as [[Facebook Messenger]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/help/750020781733477 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> and the [[WeChat]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=vincithevin |date=2024-08-02 |title=Beijing Visitor's Guide: A Guide to Payment Services in the Capital |url=https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2024/08/02/welcome-beijing-guide-payment-services-capital |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=www.thebeijinger.com |language=EN}}</ref> '[[super-app]]' for example offer a payment feature.