At the beginning of June, Facebook announced that its messaging app, Messenger, had crossed the one billion downloads milestone in the Play Store.

Obviously, Messenger is at least a little bit popular, and now a new sign-up initiative from the social networking giant might do even more to increase its popularity and user base. On Wednesday, June 24, the company announced via its Newsroom that signing up for Messenger no longer requires a Facebook account, as long as you live within the United States, Canada, Venezuela, or Peru.

Even without the Facebook account, those who sign up for Messenger can still send photos, messages, group chats, and have access to voice and video calling as well. A phone number, photo and a name is all that’s required to make it work, and for those that sign up for the first time through the app will see a new “Not On Facebook” prompt on the sign-up page.

What do you think of the change?