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Message Previews

Unveiling the Power of Message Previews: Displaying the Latest Message in Channel List

Mark Worachote
Mark Worachote
Solutions Engineer
Android
iOS
Web
Dec 25, 2023

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently is paramount. As we continue to rely heavily on messaging platforms for both personal and professional communication, the need for features that enhance user experience and streamline communication workflows is more important than ever. One such feature is the ability to display the latest message in a channel list, a functionality that can significantly boost user engagement and satisfaction. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the process of implementing this feature using the Message Preview feature of the Amity SDK.

The Message Preview feature is a powerful tool that provides a brief summary of incoming messages through channel and subchannel objects. It allows users to quickly assess the content of a message without having to open the entire conversation, saving time and enhancing user experience. However, it’s important to note that the Message Preview feature is an on-demand feature.

To enable it, you need to submit a request to the Amity Help Center. The processing time for your request is approximately 5 business days, but the benefits it brings to your application are well worth the wait.

The Indispensable Role of Message Previews

Message previews are not just a nice-to-have feature; they play a crucial role in enhancing user experience in messaging platforms. By offering a brief glimpse of incoming messages, they allow users to assess the urgency, context, and relevance of messages without needing to open the entire conversation. This feature is particularly beneficial in various scenarios:

  1. Notifications: When a user receives a push notification or a message alert, a message preview can be shown, allowing the user to decide whether to engage immediately or defer it to a later time.
  2. Chat List: In a list of ongoing conversations, each chat item can display the latest message as a preview. This helps users quickly identify and prioritize which chat to respond to first.
  3. Data Economy: In scenarios where users have limited bandwidth or are on metered connections, previews allow them to decide if they want to download or load the complete message or any associated media.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Displaying Message Previews in Channel List

To display the latest message in a channel list, you can leverage the messagePreview attribute of the channel object. This attribute contains the latest message sent in the channel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can access it:

In the above code, we first get the channel object using the getChannel method of the ChannelRepository. Then, we access the messagePreview attribute of the channel object to get the latest message. We can then display this message in our channel list.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, integrating message previews into applications is not just a feature, but a necessity in today’s digital communication landscape. It offers users an efficient way to manage their interactions, allowing apps to optimize response times and streamline communication workflows. The ability to display the latest message in a channel list is a powerful tool that can significantly boost user engagement and satisfaction.

With Amity Chat SDK, implementing this feature in your application is a breeze. The SDK provides a robust and flexible platform that allows you to customize your application to meet your users’ needs. By leveraging the Message Preview feature, you can enhance your user’s messaging experience, making your application more engaging and user-friendly.

Remember, the key to a successful application is a great user experience. And with Amity SDK’s Message Preview feature, you’re one step closer to achieving that. So, don’t wait. Start enhancing your application today!

If you’re looking to enable social experiences in your platform to increase app download, traffic and retention, Feel free to explore the features Amity Social Cloud offers, If you find that a pre-built solution aligns with your business goals, you can start right now by contacting Amity.