In the world of modern workplace communication, many people have noticed that the name Yammer has gradually been replaced by Viva Engage. This shift has caused some confusion among users who have used Yammer for years as part of Microsoft 365. The question that often arises is is Yammer now Viva Engage? To understand this change, it’s important to explore what happened to Yammer, what Viva Engage is, and how this transition affects organizations and users who rely on Microsoft’s enterprise communication tools.
The Evolution from Yammer to Viva Engage
Yammer has been around since 2008, starting as a standalone enterprise social network. It allowed employees within an organization to communicate, share ideas, and build communities in a secure internal environment. When Microsoft acquired Yammer in 2012, it became part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, integrating with tools like SharePoint, Outlook, and Teams.
However, as Microsoft continued to develop its productivity suite, it began to merge Yammer’s community-based features with its broader employee experience vision. This led to the introduction of Viva Engage in 2022, under the Microsoft Viva platform, which focuses on employee engagement, connection, and well-being. In essence, Viva Engage is not a completely new product but rather an evolved form of Yammer, reimagined for modern hybrid work environments.
What Happened to the Yammer Brand
Microsoft officially began transitioning from Yammer to Viva Engage as part of its effort to streamline communication tools under the Viva brand. The name Yammer was gradually phased out from the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, though its core features and communities remained intact. The user interface was updated, new features were added, and the service was more tightly integrated with Microsoft Teams.
By 2023, Microsoft confirmed that Yammer would be fully rebranded as Viva Engage. This means that all Yammer functionality communities, posts, and conversations was transferred under the Viva Engage experience. Users logging into their organization’s Yammer network were automatically redirected to the new Viva Engage interface.
What Is Viva Engage?
Viva Engage is part of Microsoft Viva, a platform designed to enhance employee experience through communication, learning, and connection. It serves as a hub for employees to interact, share updates, and create communities within their workplace. The main goal of Viva Engage is to foster engagement and inclusion, especially in hybrid or remote work settings where employees may feel disconnected.
Core Features of Viva Engage
Viva Engage retains all the familiar capabilities that Yammer offered but with added enhancements to improve collaboration and integration within Microsoft 365. Here are some of the main features
- Community BuildingEmployees can join or create communities around shared interests, projects, or departments, just like in Yammer.
- Storylines and StoriesA new addition that allows users to share personal posts, updates, or achievements in a feed similar to social media platforms.
- Leadership EngagementViva Engage offers tools for leaders to connect directly with employees through events, discussions, and Q&A sessions.
- Integration with Microsoft TeamsViva Engage is deeply integrated with Teams, allowing users to access communities and posts without leaving the Teams environment.
- Analytics and InsightsIt provides admins and leaders with engagement data to understand how employees interact and participate within the organization.
These improvements make Viva Engage a more interactive and inclusive space compared to the earlier version of Yammer, aligning it with the broader goal of improving employee connection and culture.
Is Yammer Still Available?
Technically, Yammer as a brand no longer exists under Microsoft 365. However, all of its functionality continues to exist under the new name, Viva Engage. Users who were previously using the Yammer web app, desktop version, or mobile app now access the same experience through Viva Engage. For many organizations, the transition happened automatically, with minimal disruption to user experience.
Microsoft ensured that data, communities, and content were seamlessly migrated. This means there was no need for users to re-create groups or re-upload information. The biggest difference lies in branding, design, and deeper integration with Microsoft Viva and Teams.
Differences Between Yammer and Viva Engage
While Viva Engage builds on Yammer’s foundation, several key differences distinguish it as a more modern platform
- Interface and DesignViva Engage has a refreshed look with a more modern layout that fits within the Microsoft Viva ecosystem.
- IntegrationViva Engage is embedded directly into Microsoft Teams, making it more accessible for employees who already use Teams for communication.
- FocusYammer emphasized general communication and social networking, while Viva Engage focuses more on employee engagement, leadership visibility, and community culture.
- New FeaturesFeatures like Storylines and Leadership Corner are exclusive to Viva Engage, providing new ways for employees and leaders to connect.
In short, Viva Engage can be viewed as Yammer 2.0 it keeps what worked well but adapts to the needs of a more collaborative, digital-first workplace.
Benefits of Using Viva Engage
The shift from Yammer to Viva Engage has brought several benefits for organizations using Microsoft 365. Microsoft has focused on making communication more human and community-oriented, supporting connection across different teams and departments.
Enhanced Employee Engagement
Viva Engage encourages participation through storytelling and community activities. Employees can share success stories, project updates, or even casual moments, fostering a sense of belonging within the workplace. This helps build stronger relationships between colleagues and across departments.
Leadership Connection
One of the standout features of Viva Engage is the ability for leaders to communicate directly with employees through posts, live events, and interactive Q&A sessions. This enhances transparency and gives leadership teams a platform to share updates or recognize employee achievements.
Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365
Because Viva Engage is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, it works naturally with Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. Employees can access discussions, share documents, and participate in community conversations without switching between multiple apps. This level of integration increases productivity and convenience.
Data and Insights
Viva Engage also provides analytical tools for administrators to measure engagement levels across communities. Organizations can use these insights to improve communication strategies and identify areas where employees may need more connection or support.
How to Access Viva Engage
Accessing Viva Engage is simple for organizations already using Microsoft 365. It can be opened through Microsoft Teams, where Viva Engage appears as an app. It’s also available as a standalone web experience or through the Viva Engage mobile app, which replaces the old Yammer app.
To get started, users simply log in with their Microsoft 365 credentials. Once inside, they can browse communities, follow storylines, post updates, and interact with colleagues. The platform’s interface is intuitive, making it easy for even new users to adapt quickly.
Transitioning from Yammer to Viva Engage
For organizations still adjusting to the change, Microsoft provided a smooth transition path. Existing Yammer users did not need to create new accounts or migrate data manually. All communities, files, and user profiles were automatically carried over. The new Viva Engage branding replaced the Yammer name across Microsoft 365 applications and portals.
Administrators can manage Viva Engage settings from the Microsoft 365 admin center, where they have the same level of control that they had with Yammer, including permissions, community creation, and content moderation.
Training and Adaptation
While the interface may look different, the basic functionality remains familiar. Microsoft also offers learning resources and tutorials within the Viva platform to help users get accustomed to the new features. Most employees find the transition easy since the experience inside Microsoft Teams is straightforward and user-friendly.
The Future of Viva Engage
Viva Engage represents Microsoft’s vision of creating a more connected and engaged workforce. As part of the larger Microsoft Viva suite which includes Viva Connections, Viva Learning, Viva Insights, and Viva Goals Viva Engage plays a central role in communication and culture-building. It’s expected that Microsoft will continue adding features to enhance storytelling, leadership interaction, and community management.
The end of Yammer doesn’t mark the end of enterprise social networking in Microsoft 365. Instead, it signifies a new phase where employee engagement, well-being, and culture are at the center of digital communication.
So, is Yammer Viva Engage? The answer is yes Viva Engage is the modern evolution of Yammer. While the name has changed, the essence remains the same helping employees connect, collaborate, and communicate across their organization. The difference lies in its deeper integration with Microsoft 365, refreshed design, and added features focused on engagement and leadership. For businesses that used to rely on Yammer, Viva Engage offers an improved, unified experience that aligns with today’s digital workplace needs, making it the next step in the evolution of enterprise communication.