How to Stay Compliant with Facebook Messenger Rules in 2024: A Complete Guide

As we dive into 2024, ensuring that your chat automations and chatbots on Facebook remain compliant with Facebook Messenger's rules is more important than ever. Navigating these guidelines can be tricky, but staying compliant is essential for maintaining your connection with your audience and avoiding any penalties. In this blog post, we’ll explore Facebook Messenger’s policies, the 24-hour rule, and how you can continue sending promotional messages without breaking the rules.

Understanding the 24-Hour Rule on Facebook Messenger

Facebook’s 24-hour rule is designed to prevent businesses from overwhelming users with unwanted messages. This rule allows you to send promotional messages only to users who have interacted with your page within the last 24 hours. Every time a user sends a message to your Facebook Page, this 24-hour window resets, giving you another full day to engage with them.

Here’s a quick example to illustrate:

• A user starts a conversation on Messenger, which opens the 24-hour window.
• The user doesn’t respond for 8 hours, leaving you with 16 hours to send another message.
• If the user sends another message after 8 hours, the 24-hour window resets, allowing you another 24 hours to communicate.

Sending Messages Beyond the 24-Hour Window

There are times when you may want to reach out to users even after the 24-hour window has closed. Fortunately, Facebook offers several options for this, each with its own set of guidelines.

1. Message Tags

Message Tags allow you to send non-promotional messages to users outside the 24-hour window under specific conditions. These tags are for personally relevant updates, such as:

• Confirmed Event Update: Use this tag to send reminders or updates about an event the user has registered for.
• Post Purchase Update: Notify users about recent purchases, such as order confirmations or shipping updates.
• Account Update: Inform users about changes to their account or application, like a status update or alerting them to suspicious activity.
• Human Agent: Allows human agents to respond to user inquiries within 7 days of the last message received.

Most chatbot platforms like Hifinox, it easy to select the appropriate tag for your message. 

2. Sponsored Messages

Sponsored Messages are a paid option that allows you to send messages outside the 24-hour window. These can be sent to users who have previously interacted with your page and can include both promotional and non-promotional content. However, be aware that Sponsored Messages might not always reach your entire audience—delivery rates can vary, often capping at around 50%.

3. One-Time Notification

The One-Time Notification option lets you request permission from users during the 24-hour window to send a follow-up message outside that window. For example, if a product is out of stock, you can ask if the user would like to be notified when it’s back in stock. Once the user consents, you can send a message beyond the 24-hour period.

4. Recurring Message Notifications

Recurring Message Notifications allow you to request ongoing permission from users to send multiple marketing messages beyond the 24-hour window. This is similar to One-Time Notifications but with the advantage of sending multiple follow-ups after receiving user consent.

Broadcasting via Facebook Messenger in 2024

Broadcasting is still an option under Facebook Messenger’s 2024 rules, but it’s essential to know your audience. You can broadcast messages to three specific groups:

• Users who have engaged with your Facebook Page within the last 24 hours.
• Users who have opted in for a One-Time Notification.
• Users who have subscribed to Marketing Messages.

Your Next Steps

By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your chatbots and automations comply with Facebook Messenger’s rules, helping you maintain a positive relationship with your audience and avoid any potential penalties. Staying updated with these rules is crucial, especially as Facebook continues to evolve its platform.

If you have any questions or need further clarification on how to implement these rules on your chatbot platform, feel free to leave a comment below—I’m here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 24-hour window open every time a user interacts?

The 24-hour window opens when a user sends a message directly on Facebook Messenger. However, it doesn’t open if a user comments on a post or clicks a button that leads to an external URL.

What are the key changes in Facebook Messenger’s 2024 policy?

The updated policy restricts promotional messages to the 24-hour window after a user initiates contact. To send messages outside this window, you must use one of the following:

• Message Tags
• Sponsored Messages
• One-Time Notification
• Marketing Messages

Conclusion

Staying compliant with Facebook Messenger’s rules in 2024 is essential for any business using chatbots or automation on the platform. By understanding and following these guidelines, you can continue to engage effectively with your audience while avoiding any disruptions to your service. Keep these tips in mind as you develop your messaging strategy, and your Facebook Messenger interactions will remain smooth and successful.