Facebook is looking to branch out Messenger's reach to third-parties, allowing developers to create apps on top of the messaging platform.

It will announce the new integration at the F8 Developer Conference in San Francisco next week. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will deliver the keynote and show the 20 apps developed on top of Messenger.

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These apps could offer games, navigation or even music sharing. Facebook recently launched a payments service on Messenger allowing users to pay friends. Expect most of the new apps launched at F8 to feature similar functionality to the payments service.

Facebook Messenger has grown into its own platform following the decision by the social network to remove messaging from its main mobile app. This was initially hit with anger by the Facebook community but it now sports 500 million active monthly users.

Creating a platform for developers to create new experiences is similar to WeChat or LINE in Asia. Both started out as messaging services but now offer payments, movies and even groceries shopping.

The acquisition of TheFind earlier this month gives Facebook the technology to implement a sort of social shopping service through its Messenger app. It's not clear if any of the 20 apps to be announced at F8 will be developed by Facebook or its subsidiaries.

Facebook is looking for ways to make its Messenger app less about messaging and more about quick time social interactions. This will move it away from WhatsApp -- Facebook's other messaging service -- which is primarily about quick communication.

TagsFacebook Messenger, Social network, developers, mobile