Editing Instant messaging (section)

=== Clients ===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Instant messengers protocols.svg|thumb|Instant messengers by protocol, as of 2019]]
{{See also|Comparison of instant messaging clients|Comparison of user features of messaging platforms|Comparison of LAN messengers}}

Modern IM services generally provide their own client, either a separately installed application or a [[browser-based]] client. They are normally centralised networks run by the servers of the platform's operators, unlike [[peer-to-peer]] protocols like [[XMPP]]. These usually only work within the same IM network, although some allow limited function with other services (see [[#Interoperability]]). Third-party client software applications exist that will connect with most of the major IM services. There is the class of instant messengers that uses the [[serverless computing|serverless]] model, which doesn't require servers, and the IM network consists only of clients. There are several serverless messengers: [[RetroShare]], [[Tox (protocol)|Tox]], [[Bitmessage]], [[Ricochet (software)|Ricochet]], [[Ring (software)|Ring]]. See also: [[LAN messenger]].

Some examples of popular IM services today include [[Signal (messaging app)|Signal]], [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]], [[WhatsApp Messenger]], [[WeChat]], [[Tencent QQ|QQ Messenger]], [[Viber]], [[Line (application)|Line]], and [[Snapchat]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} The popularity of certain apps greatly differ between different countries. Certain apps have an emphasis on certain uses - for example, [[Skype]] focuses on [[video calling]], [[Slack (software)|Slack]] focuses on messaging and file sharing for work teams, and Snapchat focuses on image messages. Some social networking services offer messaging services as a component of their overall platform, such as [[Facebook]]'s [[Facebook Messenger chatbots|Facebook Messenger]], who also own [[WhatsApp]]. Others have a direct IM function as an additional adjunct component of their [[social networking platform]]s, like [[Instagram]], [[Reddit]], [[Tumblr]], [[TikTok]], [[Clubhouse (app)|Clubhouse]] and [[Twitter]]; this also includes for example [[dating website]]s, such as [[OkCupid]] or [[PlentyofFish|Plenty of Fish]], and [[Voice chat in online gaming|online gaming]] chat platforms.