Instagram is currently working on a new tool called Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) designed to facilitate interactions between users and businesses or creators. This feature will enable individuals to initiate conversations by simply selecting a pre-defined, commonly asked question within a chat window.

Users who currently have access to this functionality report the ability to establish up to four questions, which can be optionally shown at the start of a dialogue with others.

The introduction of this product underscores the increasing convergence between Instagram’s messaging capabilities and those of Facebook Messenger, particularly following the recent overhaul of the Instagram messaging system. In September, Facebook announced that Instagram users could choose to upgrade to a new inbox incorporating several features inspired by Messenger – including customizable chat colors, expanded emoji reactions, disappearing messages, and more. This update also enabled communication across both the Instagram and Messenger platforms.

These developments suggest Facebook is working to align the Instagram messaging experience more closely with that of Messenger.

A comparable FAQ feature is already available within the Messenger app for Facebook Page administrators, located under the Automated Responses section in the app’s settings. Page owners and admins can utilize this to create a set of frequently asked questions and corresponding answers, which are presented to users at the beginning of conversations with the Page – mirroring the functionality of this new Instagram feature.

The Instagram FAQ option was initially observed during development earlier this year, and initial indications suggested it would be exclusive to Business accounts, based on the application’s code.

However, recent reports and screenshots shared by an Instagram user who has access to the feature demonstrate that the FAQ will also be available for creator accounts, in addition to businesses.

The discovery was made on Monday by social media consultant Matt Navarra, who credited @thenezvm for providing the information.

Considering @thenezvm’s current access to the feature, as evidenced by the shared screenshots, the FAQ option is either undergoing limited testing or is beginning a wider rollout.

It is more probable that it remains in the early stages of testing, as Instagram has not yet issued a comment or provided further details in response to inquiries from TechCrunch.