Google is developing a messaging app with additional smart features in an attempt to catch up with rivals, including Facebook.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Google wants to integrate chatbot assistants inside its proposed app. Chatbots are software programmes that answer user queries by searching the internet. The company hopes this application will differentiate it from other messaging apps.

Details, such as a launch date or name, are unclear so far.

Messaging is an area where the search giant is falling short against competitors. Its Hangouts and Messenger offerings lag rivals including Facebook’s WhatsApp and Messenger, as well as Asian players such as WeChat, LINE, Viber and Daum Kakao.

Such firms are using free messaging services to attract users before upselling them on other, revenue-generating services such as P2P payments.

Long-time Google employee Nick Fox has been leading work on the messaging app for at least a year. The Information reported Fox’s new position of vice president of communications products earlier in 2015.

In October, Google offered to purchase 200 Labs, a start-up which specialises in chatbots. But 200 Labs turned the search giant down, according to sources.

200 Labs provided chatbots for Telegram, a messaging app that enables users to ask questions across hundreds of subjects, including the weather, image search, news and dating.