Facebook has integrated Instant Articles feature to its mobile Messenger app on Android. With the help of this feature, you will be able to load content in a separate Messenger window itself, instead of a third-party browser, which will, in turn, save not only valuable time but also data.
For instance, if you paste a news link, the end-user will be able to open the content from within the Messenger window and not using the browser included with the smartphone. However, if the publisher doesn’t provide support for Instant Articles, the content will open normally from within the smartphone’s default browser.
While the Instant Articles feature is currently being rolled out for the Android platform, the company is planning to introduce this feature in iOS in the next few weeks. However, it will take few days for Android users to work with this feature because Facebook is releasing the update via OTA gradually.
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By establishing partnerships with reputed content houses, the newly introduced Instant Articles feature will work in the same manner as it worked in the Facebook app. As a user, you will be able to recognize the presence of Instant Articles with a lightning bolt sign on the top right-hand side.
In 2015, the Instant Articles capability was initially introduced on the Facebook app. However, it was the turn for iPhone users to first test drive the feature followed by Android. After the huge success, Facebook introduced the Instant Articles feature in India in collaboration with five publications.
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Technically, the Instant Articles feature achieves faster loading speed by pre-loading the articles automatically in the background. The images will be loaded instantly as soon as you tap the link. Moreover, you will be able to play videos the moment you scroll on it.
As of December 2015, Facebook has established a partnership with over 350 publishers worldwide for Instant Articles.
