We all know that the green dot on the profile of your friends means that the person is online. However, in the case of Facebook, have you ever wondered if that applies to Facebook itself or Facebook Messenger? Let’s now find out. In this article, we are going to talk about Facebook Green Dot on Messenger – What Does it Mean. Let’s begin!
Facebook is one of the most downloaded apps on the Google Play Store along with more than five billion downloads. This goes in order to show the extent of its user base. With this kind of user base, Facebook’s Messenger app is a really great way to get in touch with people. However, how do you know if the person you want to chat along with is online? Well, read on to find out!
What is Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is actually the social media giant’s foray into instant messaging. However, originally part of the Facebook app, Messenger became its own entity in 2011 as well. The app lets you chat along with users that you have added to your Friends list on Facebook. The app also lets you search for folks outside of your Friends list, but, these messages appear in a separate window, and also the user does not get notified.
Facebook Messenger has also integrated voice and video calling into its app. Recently, in a bid in order to join the ranks of Zoom and Google Meet, Facebook Messenger also added a new ‘Rooms‘ function. The new function permits users to create group video calls along with more than 50 people.
Facebook Green Dot Meaning
Here’s what the green dot means in relying on the screen you are looking at on the Facebook app or web, or the Facebook Messenger app as well.
What is the green dot?
Facebook introduced a way in order to find out if someone is currently online. The green dot was also introduced as an indication of a user’s online status. The green dot appears on the user’s profile picture, and also next to their name, However, there is quite a lot of confusion surrounding the green dot as well. And what it actually means. So now let’s take a closer look at it as well.
What does the green dot mean on Facebook Messenger?
As mentioned above, the green dot appears on the user’s profile picture as well. This is actually to indicate that the user is currently online on Facebook. Yes, it is counterintuitive, because we would expect it to mean that the user actually is currently online via Facebook Messenger.
But, Facebook clarifies that the green dot only signifies that the user is online on Facebook as well. This means that the user could be on either the Facebook app, Facebook.com, or also Facebook Messenger
What does the green dot mean on the Facebook webpage?
The same green dot is also visible on Facebook’s website. Just like its indication on the Messenger app, if you see the green on a person’s profile picture on the website then this means that person is currently online as well. On the Facebook website, the green dot also appears on a person’s profile page. So in order to check if someone is online, you have to visit their profile.
What does the green dot beside the video mean?
This green dot is visible only if you guys tap on a person’s name in the Messenger app. The green dot beside the video option basically indicates that the person is also available to video call.
Because most devices these days have cameras, and this green dot is almost always synonymous along with a user being online. But, if you have not given Facebook access to your camera, and then the green dot will only be on the person’s profile picture.
What does ‘Active now’ mean?
The green dot on Facebook is not really accurate as well. This is mainly because the Facebook app (just like many other apps) remains running in the background until you guys force stop it. This means the green dot may stay on, even if the person isn’t really via the app.
In order to combat this confusion, Facebook added an ‘Active now’ function. This function also tracks the person’s activity on the app, in order to let other users know if they are actually online.
Active now basically means the person is currently online and is interacting along with the Facebook app. It does not, however, mean that the person is chatting with someone or even using the Facebook Messenger app.
How to check who is active on Facebook
Facebook creates a list of all the users in your Friends list that are currently active as well. You can also view this list easily from the Facebook Messenger app. Just simply launch the app, and tap ‘People’ in the bottom right corner.
Note: The list consists of both ‘Active now’ users as well as green dot users as well. The Active now users are positioned at the top of the list as well.
How can you change active status on Facebook?
You can also change your online status so that your friends don’t know whenever you come online on Facebook! But, doing this also avoids you from seeing which friends of yours are online. Note: The setting only applies to the device on which it is set. So if you guys want to turn off your active status on all your devices, then you will have to do that individually.
In order to change your active status, just follow this simple guide below.
On Android and iPhone
- Open the Facebook Messenger app, and click on your profile picture in the top left corner to open Settings.
- Now click ap on ‘Active Status’ and toggle the setting off or on relying on your preference.
On PC and Web (messenger.com)
- Head to the Facebook Messenger webpage over at messenger.com and then log in along with your Facebook credentials.
- Tap on the Settings cog in the top left corner next to your profile picture. Now tap on ‘Settings’
- Toggle the ‘Active Status’ slider off or on relying on your preference.
- Well, now you guys know the meaning of the green dot on Facebook. If you have any series,then feel free to reach out to us in the comments below.
Conclusion
Well, That is all from my side. If you want to know more about this article or have any queries. Then feel free to ask me anything in the comments section below.
Have a Good Day!
