Yahoo! Messenger for the Web Tutorials

Instant Messaging With Your Contacts

Sending an Instant Message Receiving an Instant Message Multiple Conversations Ignoring a Contact

Sending an Instant Message

Instant messaging is the ability to send and receive messages in real time with other people over the Internet. Unlike email, you don’t have to wait hours or days for a response from your friend. As the name suggests, instant messages usually arrive instantly.

You can send instant messages to contacts listed on your Messenger List or to anyone if you know the person’s Yahoo! ID or Window’s Live ID. Of course, that person must also be a Yahoo! Messenger or Windows Live™ Messenger user.

Tip: If you add people to your Messenger List, you can easily communicate with them whenever you like without having to remember their ID. See the Adding Contacts to Your Messenger List tutorial for more information.

 

Here’s How

  1. Identify the person you want to instant message in one of the following ways:

    • If the contact’s name is visible on your Messenger List, click the name.

      Click a name on your Messenger List.

    • Search for a name on your Messenger List by typing the ID or name in the Find contacts box above the list.

      As you type, Messenger displays all matches. Select the name you want.

      Type part of the ID or name, then select from the list.

    • If the contact isn’t on your Messenger List, type the Yahoo! or Window’s Live ID in the Find contacts box above the list, then press the Enter key.

      Type the ID, then press the Enter key.

      Note: Some IDs have domains other than @yahoo.com, such as @sbcglobal.net, @verizon.net, or @msn.com. When typing these IDs, be sure to add the full domain (person1@sbcglobal.net, person2@verizon.net, person3@msn.com). For IDs that use the @yahoo.com domain, you can type just the characters before the @ symbol.

    A conversation tab opens on the right.

    A conversation tab opens.

  2. Type your message in the message input box at the bottom of the conversation tab, then press the Enter key or click the Send button.

    Type your message, then press Enter.

    Your messages and your contact’s replies appear in the conversation area.

    Your messages and your contact’s replies appear in the conversation area.

 

What’s Next

You can have more than one conversation going at a time. Each conversation displays in its own tab.

 
 
 

Words to Know

  • Contact: a person with whom you interact; someone to whom you might want to send an email, instant message, or text message.
  • Instant messaging: the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet.
  • Messenger List: a list of coworkers, friends, family, and associates who also use Messenger.
  • Windows Live™ Messenger: Microsoft® Windows’ free instant messaging application.