How to Message Someone on Facebook (Even If You're Not Friends)

That last part is why so many messages seem to vanish. The message was delivered; it's just sitting somewhere the other person rarely looks. Here's how it all works, from Facebook's Help Center, read in October 2026.

How to message someone on Facebook on a computer

1. From your Feed, click Messenger in the left menu.
2. Click New message.
3. Start typing a name in the To field. Names of friends appear as you type.
4. Select the person, or several people for a group message.
5. Type your message, then press Enter or click Send.

Message someone from their profile

1. Go to the person's profile.
2. Click Message at the top of the profile.
3. Type your message and send it.

This is the quickest route when you've just found someone through search. If you're still looking for them, here's how to find someone on Messenger.

On your phone

On mobile, Facebook messages live in the Messenger app. Facebook's own help points mobile users to the Messenger Help Center for the app, so if you tap Message on a profile, expect it to open Messenger. The steps are the same idea: start a new chat, pick the person, type and send.

Messaging someone you're not friends with

Facebook says you can send messages to anyone on Facebook. The difference is where they arrive:

Your relationship	Where your message goes	What to expect
Facebook friends	Their main chats	They'll usually see it straight away
Not friends	Their Message Requests folder, possibly	They may not notice it for a while
They've blocked you	It won't reach them	There's no way round this

If you need a reply from someone who isn't a friend, keep the first message short and clear about who you are. Facebook's own advice for avoiding message blocks is to use the name you go by in everyday life, so people recognise you.

Why your Facebook message won't send

Facebook separates two kinds of problem. If you see "You can't reply to this conversation", it may be because:

• Something you sent goes against Facebook's Community Standards.
• You recently sent an unusual number of messages, which can look like spam.
• Messages you sent were marked as unwelcome.
• You blocked the person, or they blocked you.

Facebook says that kind of block is temporary, and you can still interact with confirmed friends through comments and posts while it lasts. You may also be blocked from sending friend requests for a while.

Technical problems

If it says "This message didn't send" or "Unable to connect to Facebook", Facebook suggests:

1. Check your internet connection by opening another website.
2. Update the Facebook app, or your browser on a computer.
3. Close the app and restart your device.
4. Make sure the person hasn't deactivated or deleted their account.
5. In a group chat, check the other members haven't left.

How to avoid getting your messages blocked

• Message people and businesses you already know.
• Don't send the same message to lots of people in a short time.
• Use your everyday name on your profile.
• Read Facebook's Community Standards if you're messaging for business.

That last point matters for small business owners. Cold messaging strangers in bulk is exactly the pattern Facebook's spam systems watch for.

Find a message you sent later

Your conversations stay in Messenger, so you can search them later. My guide on searching messages on Messenger shows how to dig out an old one. If you want to send a picture, here's how to send a photo on Messenger.

Tell them where to look

If you've messaged someone who isn't a friend and it's important, the kindest thing is to tell them by another route that it's waiting in their Message Requests. Plenty of people never check that folder. A quick comment on their public post, a text or an email saying "I've sent you a message on Facebook" usually does it.

Messaging a business or Page

Messaging a business works the same way: open its Page and look for the Message button. Facebook's advice to message people and businesses you already know applies here too, so keep business enquiries clear and specific, and expect an automated reply before a person gets back to you.

My advice

If someone hasn't replied, don't send five follow-ups. Assume it's in their Message Requests, wait a few days, and if it matters, ask a mutual friend to mention it. One clear message gets read far more often than several anxious ones.

Can't spot the person you want to message? Start with my guide to finding someone on Facebook.

Frequently asked questions

How do I message someone on Facebook?

Open Messenger from your Feed, click New message, type their name in the To field, select them and send. Or click Message on their profile.

Can I message someone on Facebook if we're not friends?

Yes. Facebook says you can message anyone, but it may arrive in their Message Requests folder.

Why can't I reply to a conversation on Facebook?

It may be a temporary block for spam-like messaging, a message that broke Community Standards, messages marked unwelcome, or a block between you.

Why does my Facebook message say it didn't send?

It's usually technical. Check your connection, update the app or browser, restart, and make sure the person hasn't deactivated their account.

Can I message several people at once on Facebook?

Yes. Select more than one person in the To field to start a group message.

Will someone know I messaged them if it goes to Message Requests?

It sits in their Message Requests folder until they open it, so they may not notice it straight away.

Is a Facebook message block permanent?

Facebook says a block on sending messages is temporary, and you can still interact with confirmed friends in other ways while it lasts.