Sending a blank message on messenger apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram DM, etc can be useful for a variety of reasons. A blank message allows you to ping someone without having to actually type out a message. It can be a quick way to get someone’s attention, see if they’re available to chat, or even break the ice if you haven’t talked in a while.
Why Send a Blank Message?
There are a few common reasons why someone might want to send a blank message on a messenger app:
- To get the other person’s attention
- To see if the other person is free to chat
- To break the ice after not talking for a while
- As a joke or prank on friends
- By accident if you tap send before typing
Sending a quick blank message can be a way to notify the other person that you want to start a conversation but don’t have anything in particular to say upfront. It leaves the door open for them to respond and start the dialogue.
How to Send a Blank Message on Common Messenger Apps
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger makes it very easy to send a blank message:
- Open your Facebook Messenger app and select the chat with the person you want to send the message to
- Tap inside the text box at the bottom where you would normally type a message
- Hit the send button (arrow or microphone icon)
This will instantly deliver a blank message to the recipient. Facebook Messenger does not allow you to send completely blank messages – there will always be a small message icon that shows up. But the message box itself will be blank.
WhatsApp also makes it easy to send blank messages to your contacts:
- Open the WhatsApp app and go into the chat window for the person you want to message
- Tap on the text box at the bottom but don’t type anything
- Hit the send button (arrow icon)
This will send a message with just a single empty text box which indicates to the recipient that you’ve sent them a blank WhatsApp message intentionally.
Instagram Direct
You can send blank messages on Instagram Direct in the Instagram app:
- Go into your Instagram Direct messages and select the person you want to message
- Tap on the text field but don’t type anything
- Hit the arrow send icon to send your blank message
Sending a blank message on Instagram Direct will send the message with a blank text box that clearly indicates you’ve sent something intentionally blank.
SMS/Text Messaging
Sending a blank text message or SMS is very easy from your default messages/text messaging app on your smartphone:
- Open up your messages app and select the contact
- Tap on the text field without typing anything
- Hit send
This will deliver a blank text message to the recipient. Most text messaging apps will indicate that a blank message was delivered intentionally.
Messenger Apps that Don’t Allow Blank Messages
Some messaging apps like Telegram or Signal do not actually allow sending a completely blank message or just a text box. These apps will require the user to type at least one character before a message can be sent.
If you want to send a blank message on Telegram, Signal or other apps that require text to send, you can try typing a single period “.”, space character, or emoji like 👋 to initiate the message without adding any real text content.
Tips for Sending Blank Messages
Here are some tips to keep in mind when sending blank messages:
- Use them sparingly – too many blank messages could come across as spammy or annoying
- Follow up after sending one to explain your intent if needed
- Make sure you’re sending to the right contact to avoid confusion
- Watch for read receipts so you know if your message was seen
- Gauge the recipient’s response to see if a blank message was effective
- Be aware that some people may find blank messages confusing or frustrating
Why Blank Messages Can Be Annoying
While blank messages may seem harmless, some people find them annoying or even rude. Here are some reasons why:
- They interrupt whatever the recipient was doing by prompting a notification
- It forces the recipient to stop and respond even if they’re busy
- There is ambiguity about the sender’s intention
- It requires extra back and forth to find out what the sender wants
- Some may interpret it as passive-aggressive behavior
If overused, blank messages may come across as attention-seeking behavior or like you don’t value the recipient’s time. Make sure you’re not interrupting someone unnecessarily with a distracting notification if you choose to use blank messages.
When is it Appropriate to Send a Blank Message?
Blank messages can be appropriate when used selectively in the right context. Here are some situations where a blank message may be suitable:
- Messaging close friends or family you communicate with frequently
- Following up on a recent conversation to see if the person is available
- Breaking the ice after not chatting for a prolonged period
- Sending to someone you’re very comfortable with who understands your communication style
- You have an urgent reason to contact the person but can’t type a full message
In general, blank messages are most fitting for casual conversations among close contacts who you won’t annoy or confuse by pinging them unexpectedly.
Alternatives to Sending Blank Messages
If you’re concerned that a blank message may not be well-received, there are some alternatives you can try instead:
- Send an emoji like 👋 or 😄 to indicate you want to chat
- Say “Hey” or “Hi” to start the conversation
- Call the person instead of messaging if urgent
- Send a photo, GIF, sticker or other visual media
- Just wait until you have something more substantial to say before messaging
Adding even a small bit of additional context can help reduce confusion and miscommunication when reaching out to start a conversation.
How to Respond to a Blank Message
When you receive a blank message, there are a few ways you can respond:
- Send a question mark “?” or “???” to ask for clarification
- Say “Hey, did you mean to send a message?”
- Call them to check what’s up if urgent
- Send an emoji back like 🤔😄🙋♂️
- Ignore it if you don’t have time for conversation
- Reply normally starting the dialogue
How you respond depends on who the message is from and what your relationship is like. With close friends, you may be comfortable calling them right away to see what’s up. For other contacts, taking the time to clarify their intent first may be better so you don’t end up in an unwanted conversation.
Conclusion
Sending blank messages on messenger apps can be a quick and easy way to get someone’s attention and spark a conversation. However, overusing this technique can come across as distracting, confusing or even rude. Use good judgment based on your relationship with the recipient and their expected availability if deciding to send a blank message. Add some additional context when possible to reduce misinterpretation. With the right approach, blank messages can be an effective communication tool when used carefully.