Is Instant Messenger Replacing the Text Message?

While text messaging has enjoyed enduring popularity, the way technology is moving looks like it may end up being usurped by a similar, yet quite different, service. Instant messaging is a bit like text messaging, and a bit like email. It allows users to send messages to one another of just about any length they like, but they do so in a live setting, so that messages are received instantly (hence the name!).



Instant messaging is a fantastic way of staying in touch with family and friends. Many offices also use it as a way for staff to communicate while still keeping the workplace relatively quiet, and it’s an excellent way to have conversations which are easy to follow and convenient to have. Not everybody fancies picking up the phone whenever they want to chat, which is why instant messengers are so popular. Best of all, many of them are free to use – which puts them at a distinctive advantage over texting. Instant messaging can also be conducted online on your laptop or PC, or even on the move using your smartphone. Instant messaging clients can be downloaded onto smartphones or systems like the iPod touch, as well as tablet devices, allowing users to carry them around with them as they’re on the go and communicate with friends while away from their computers.

These systems are great because they allow you to easily keep track of your conversations, as well as let you enjoy having several conversations at once. This is another advantage of instant messengers over using a phone or text messaging – it’s easy to run many conversations at once and keep track of who you’re talking to, so you’ll never get confused with what you’re talking about and you don’t waste time having to talk to only one person at a time.



Finally, there’s the cost aspect, which can be very significant to many people. For its organisation, ease of use and method of live conversation, instant messaging is a bargain at its ‘free’ price. It’s got definite advantages over SMS and many users find it more agreeable to use. So could the instant messenger be replacing the text message when it comes to staying in touch with family, friends and co-workers? It could well be the case: text messaging isn’t the only program to have been around for many years now, so only time will tell which one wins in today’s popularity contest.



Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.