When it comes to social networks and instant messaging, there are many different platforms to choose from. All of them have their fair share of pros and cons as well, as Facebook Messenger is no different. However, not many instant messaging programs are able to claim that they have achieved the 1 billion users mark, but Facebook Messenger has done exactly that.

Growing organically is one of the best ways or methods to keep moving forward, and this is what Facebook Messenger is all about. Folks make use of Facebook Messenger in order to hook up to others as well as organizations or businesses that they are interested in.

Messages sent back and forth will range from light banter to serious conversations, or even the sharing of dreams, not to mention sending of payments. If your friend happens to have a Facebook status that is less than happy, why not send a joke to lighten up the mood via Messenger? With a monthly user base of over 1 billion people, Facebook Messenger has now joined the hallowed halls of high volume instant messaging apps that make a difference in the lives of many.

In order to commemorate this special occasion, Facebook intends to send out 1 billion 'thank yous'. This will be done in the form of a new floating balloon gift which just about everyone and anyone are able to make use of to celebrate. All that you need to do is to send a balloon emoji to your friends in order to add brighten up any conversation.

How long -- or rather, how fast, did it take for Facebook Messenger to arrive at such a milestone? Approximately 5 years after debuting. Along the way, Facebook Messenger has increased its user count by double in a matter of twenty months in order to reach the one billion user mark. This exclusive one billion club would place Facebook Messenger alongside WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook as well) and Google's YouTube. 

With more than a billion users each month, what kind of activities are carried out? 17 billion photos are sent monthly, while 1 billion messages are exchanged between its users. 380 million stickers will keep 22 million GIFs company every single day, while Facebook Messenger has managed to obtain a share of 10% of all VoIP calls. There are also 18,000 bots available, with 23,000 developers already signed up for Facebook's Wit.ai Bot Engine. 

You know what would be really scary? For Facebook to be able to make inroads into the China market. It is no secret that Mark Zuckerberg has been spending the past few years trying to court the world's most populous country, as his mastery of the Chinese language continues to be honed each day. If China were to open the doors to Facebook and eventually, Facebook Messenger, you can be sure that one of the biggest virtual walls in history would be broken down. All that we have to do is to sit tight and wait. In the meantime, congratulations once again to Facebook Messenger for hitting such a milestone despite the fierce competition all around.