Instant messaging systems facilitate connections between specified known users (often using a contact list also known as a "buddy list" or "friend list") or in chat rooms, and can be standalone apps or integrated into a wider social media platform, or in a website where it can, for instance, be used for conversational commerce. Originally the term "instant messaging" was distinguished from "text messaging" by being run on a computer network instead of a cellular/mobile network, being able to write longer messages, real-time communication, presence ("status"), and being free (only cost of access instead of per SMS message sent).
Instant messaging systems facilitate connections between specified known users (often using a contact list also known as a "buddy list" or "friend list") or in chat rooms and can be standalone apps or integrated into a wider social media platform or in a website where it can for instance be used for conversational commerce Originally the term "instant messaging" was distinguished from "text messaging" by being run on a computer network instead of a cellular/mobile network being able to write longer messages real-time communication presence ("status") and being free (only cost of access instead of per SMS message sent)