Facebook tests $1 fee for messages to non-friends
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook says it is testing a service that will charge users $1 to guarantee that messages they send to people they are not connected to arrive in users' inboxes, rather than in an often-ignored folder called "other."
Launched in 2011, the "other" folder is where Facebook routes messages it deems less relevant. Not quite spam, these include messages from people you most likely don't know, based on Facebook's reading of your social connections. Many users ignore this folder.
Now, users will be able to pay $1 to route their messages to non-friends. Facebook said Thursday that it is testing the service with a small percentage of individuals — not businesses — in the U.S.
"For example, if you want to send a message to someone you heard speak at an event but are not friends with, or if you want to message someone about a job opportunity, you can use this feature to reach their Inbox," Facebook said in an online post. "For the receiver, this test allows them to hear from people who have an important message to send them."
The company says charging for messages could help discourage spammers.
In October, Facebook unveiled another feature that lets users pay if they want more people to read their updates. For $7, users can promote a post to their friends, just as advertisers do.
Launched in 2011, the "other" folder is where Facebook routes messages it deems less relevant. Not quite spam, these include messages from people you most likely don't know, based on Facebook's reading of your social connections. Many users ignore this folder.
Now, users will be able to pay $1 to route their messages to non-friends. Facebook said Thursday that it is testing the service with a small percentage of individuals — not businesses — in the U.S.
"For example, if you want to send a message to someone you heard speak at an event but are not friends with, or if you want to message someone about a job opportunity, you can use this feature to reach their Inbox," Facebook said in an online post. "For the receiver, this test allows them to hear from people who have an important message to send them."
The company says charging for messages could help discourage spammers.
In October, Facebook unveiled another feature that lets users pay if they want more people to read their updates. For $7, users can promote a post to their friends, just as advertisers do.
Well, Lets see, Google became Evil and Turned to the Dark side and Face book is becoming the same. Maybe it is time we turn off our electronic gadgets, or remove face book from them and Google as well and start using Linux. This entire thing is becoming nutts. I feel it is a way to start censoring as well. Every one wants you Credit card Now a days.. Screw them there not getting it and if it means shutting down to the point where I use only IMs then so be it.
Google got creepier with this...http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252129/Google-Most-powerful-company-internet-watches-offline.html.
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Now, Facebook needs to bolster their bottom line for their shareholders.Â
The fictional character of Zuckerberg in that movie about Facebook blocked "monetizing The Facebook" because the fictional character knew that it would cease to be cool when it became driven by profit. The fictional character was right.
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Is it irony that real life has become a parody of art? Or is it that Hollywood knows about cool and invested the fictional character with a huge dose of cool; way more cool than the real-life Zuckerberg could actually wish to ever possess.Â
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The basic theme of that movie was that "The Facebook" was all about ego which has proven out by the endless annoyances and blatant disregard suffered by the subscriber base.Â
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Facebook is Netflix 2.0Â
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In related news, Facebook takes a step forward in becoming the "my space" of this decade......
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This is why friends don't let friends facebook, myspace or linkedin.  They are the trollers, pedophile, spammers and ID thieves paradise.
While I don't like or use Facebook making spammers pay is a good thing.
 @RalphCramden Prohibiting spammers is even better
 @darren vandervortÂ
Good point. I am not so convinced that we will ever see the end of spam. Might as well make a profit off them till there is a way to end it.