Facebook Messenger Announces ‘Soundmoji’ Launch

Just in time for World Emoji Day, Facebook Messenger announced the launch of “Soundmoji,” essentially emoji that play a short audio clip when they are received, adding another interactive element to users’ message threads. Facebook plans to launch the feature on Saturday, July 17.

When a Soundmoji is added to a message, it will also play the audio snippet, which the recipient hears when they get the message.

Facebook dives into the new features a little more, explaining that Soundmojis are “a next-level emoji that lets you send short sound clips in a Messenger chat, ranging from clapping, crickets, drumroll and evil laughter, to audio clips from your favorite artists like Rebecca Black and your favorite TV shows and movies like Universal Pictures’ F9, NBC and Universal Television’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Netflix and Shondaland’s Bridgerton.”

Sometimes, words just aren’t enough to express how you really feel ???????? pic.twitter.com/dbJX6BBNgQ

— Messenger (@messenger) July 15, 2021

Facebook says that people send more than 2.4 billion messages including emoji on Messenger every day, and with more apps like TikTok embracing audio experiences, it looks as if Facebook is looking to take the already heavily used emoji feature to another level. Also, Facebook including promotional tie-ins and clips linked to TV, music, etc., points to Facebook potentially using the feature as a marketing opportunity, or an option in the future for additional advertising on the platform.

It could also spark further interests in musicians engaging with the feature to include their music, in the same way that TikTok has become a leading tool in the music industry and elevating songs to the Top 40 Charts.

At this current stage, Facebook has not outlined how brands may be able to tap into the feature and the potential for campaigns, but given the tie-ins the social media giant mentioned above, it’s more than likely they are already in the process of developing Soundmojis for a larger market.

Facebook says they will keep updating their Soundmoji library, which will include popular and famous voices to add to user messages.

If you are curious to check out the new Soundmoji options, update your Messenger app after July 17, tap the smiley face to open the expressions menu, then select the loudspeaker icon. You’ll be able to preview and send your Soundmoji stickers from there.

Photo courtesy of Facebook.