Facebook Messenger tops one billion monthly users

Facebook has just announced yet another milestone: more than 1 billion people now use its Messenger service every month. Combine that with WhatsApp, which reached the billion-user point back in February, and it appears that the company now owns two of the most popular messaging apps in the world. The firm says that this also posits Messenger as the second most popular iOS app of all time behind Facebook itself. Over on Android, the company says the Messenger app has been downloaded over a billion times.

"As part of this journey to 1 billion, we focused on creating the best possible experiences in modern day communications. We remain focused on helping connect people to the people and businesses who matter most," said David Marcus, VP of Messenger, in a statement. Facebook released a few more stats too: it now has over 18,000 bots on its Messenger platform, 10 percent of all VoIP calls are apparently made through Messenger and more than 22 million GIFs are sent via Messenger everyday. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Facebook has unveiled a special celebratory balloon emoji on Messenger that you can send to your friends and family starting today.