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Instant Games
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Welcome to the Instant Games developer documentation. This is the central resource for everything you need to build, launch, grow, and monetize Instant Games on the Facebook and Messenger platform.
What You Can Build
Instant Games are lightweight, HTML5-based games that players can discover and play instantly within the Facebook app and on the web — no downloads required. Instant Games are the primary game platform on Facebook and Messenger, offering access to billions of potential players through built-in social features, organic discovery surfaces, and powerful monetization tools.
Getting Started
If you are new to Instant Games, we recommend following these steps:
- Understand the platform — Read What Are Instant Games? to learn how the platform works, what makes it unique, and what kinds of games succeed.
- See the player journey — Review The Player Journey to understand how players discover, play, and return to games on Facebook.
- Build your first game — Follow the Quick Start guide to create a simple game and see it running on the platform.
- Launch to the world — Use the Launch section to set up your app, pass reviews, and release your game to players.
- Grow and monetize — Explore the Acquire, Retain, and Monetize sections to maximize your game's reach and revenue.
Documentation Structure
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Overview | Platform introduction, player journey, case studies, and best practices |
| Build | Technical guides for developing your Instant Game |
| Launch | Steps to create your app, pass reviews, and go live |
| Acquire | Strategies and tools to attract new players |
| Retain | Social features and techniques to keep players coming back |
| Monetize | In-app purchases, ads, and revenue optimization |
| Tools | Platform tools for analytics, ads management, and measurement |
| Get Support | Support channels for managed and unmanaged developers |
| FAQ | Frequently asked questions across all topics |
Additional Resources
- App Dashboard — Manage your apps, view analytics, and configure settings.
- Approved Partner Program — Apply to become an approved Instant Games partner.
- SDK Reference — Complete API documentation for the Instant Games SDK.
- Case Studies — See how other developers have found success on the platform.
Archived Documentation
Documentation for deprecated products (Legacy Web Games, Cloud Games, Cross Play, and others) is available in the Archive section. These documents are preserved for reference but describe products and features that are no longer actively supported.