Abstract: A mobile social networking platform integrates SMS (text messaging) services with Instant Messaging services so that cross-platform messages can be sent, e.g., text-to-IM and IM-to-text. In response to a text message sent by a user, an integration server prompts a corresponding IM message to be sent to the recipient. In one embodiment the integration server prompts transmission of the IM by logging into the user's IM account or accounts. An instant message corresponding to the text message is then sent to the recipient designated by the user via the user's IM account. After prompting transmission of the instant messages by the associated service, the integration server logs-off from the user's IM account or accounts. In an alternative embodiment the integration server itself generates the IM. In order to send an IM to text message a user logs onto an IM client, selects the integration server from a buddy list, composes the message for a particular group, then sends the message to the integration server.