Direct Messages

Requires: Messaging needs an account — sign in first.

Web: Open Messages. The sidebar has two tabs: Conversations (your existing chats and groups) and Friends. Click New Conversation to jump to the Friends tab, then click any friend to start chatting. You can also hit Message next to a friend on the Community → People page.

Mobile: Open Messages (from the side menu, or My Account → Quick Access → Messages) and tap the new-message icon in the header. Search your friends ("Search friends...") and tap one to open a chat.

New conversations start from your friends list — that's why adding friends comes first. (Members who allow open messages can also be reached from their profiles.)

You can also message a business directly — no friend request needed — once it has been claimed and WABA has confirmed who manages it.

Web: Open the business's page in the directory and press Message (signed-out visitors are asked to sign in first). You'll also find Message Business on products and services the business doesn't sell on WABA, and a rental request opens a business conversation too. Press it to open a conversation with the business inside your Messages page — it shows up with the business's name and logo alongside your personal chats. The business's owner or staff reply as the business, and you're notified when they do.

If a business can't receive messages yet, there's no Message button — use its Call Business, Send Email, or Visit Website links instead.

Note: Business conversations are text and links for now (attachments and voice notes are for member-to-member chats). Messaging a business from the mobile app isn't available yet — use the website.

Type your message and hit send — messages arrive instantly. Beyond text, you can share:

• Photos and images — large images are compressed automatically so they send fast.
• Documents and files — up to 50MB on mobile.
• Voice notes — record audio right in the chat on the web. Voice notes are encrypted and expire after a while, so they're heard fresh or not at all.

Mobile: Tap the attachment button to choose Photo Library, Take Photo, or Document. Photos can be up to 10MB.

• React to any message with an emoji — long-press on mobile (quick picks: 👍 ❤️ 😂 😮 😢) or use the reaction picker on the web. Tap the same emoji again to remove it.
• Reply to a specific message to keep threads clear — the original message is quoted with your response.
• Read status — messages are marked read when the other person opens the conversation, so you can tell what's been seen.

• On the web, use the message actions to delete a message you sent.
• On mobile, long-press a message for options including Report message if something crosses a line.
• Conversations with anyone you block disappear from your inbox automatically — and yours from theirs.

Small bonus: staying in touch pays. Sending messages counts toward daily rewards points (a couple of points each, up to a daily cap).