In Facebook’s never-ending attempt to make their business model more profitable, the company has announced that they are testing a new way to send messages to complete strangers.
Currently, messages from people in your network go straight into your normal message inbox. Messages from people outside of your network and potential spam go into the “Other” folder inside of your inbox.
While this “other” folder is little-known to most users, these new paid messages will change how your Facebook inbox works.
According to Facebook’s official blog, a select test group of people can now pay to bypass the “other” folder and have their message go straight into a user’s inbox for a small price of $1.
The post says that “This test is designed to address situations where neither social nor algorithmic signals are sufficient. 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. For the receiver, this test allows them to hear from people who have an important message to send them.”
This feature is for personal messages only, so accounts registered as other entities such as a nonprofit or a business will not be able to use it at this time. During the test there is also a limit of one message per week to the same person.
What do you think?
Is this a smart business model that will make money?
Do you see yourself using it?
Will this lead to spam problems?
Sound off in the comments below.
Adam Shields says
I would say that $1 is too high for it to become a spam problem. I can’t think of a reason I would use this. If I know the person, I would just request to be friends with them and then send the message.
But I also don’t think it is a bad idea to try.
Mitchell Karr says
I couldn’t think of a good reason to use it either. But you’re right in saying that Facebook needs to think of different ways to make revenue after their shaky IPO.
Eric Dye says
Too high for spamers, but not necessarily big companies that spend big bucks on advertising.
Mark Robinson says
This is why I’m slowly extracting myself from facebook.
There are probably easier ways of contacting them.
Eric Dye says
HA! Agreed.
Alex MacDonald says
To be blunt, I find the concept stupid. I wouldn’t pay to send someone a message on Facebook, regardless of how much it is or if we’re friends. I’d find another way to do it – phone, email, contact form on their website, etc. The two examples listed don’t make sense either – I’d contact the event speaker through their website or email and I certainly would not ask about anything job-related on Facebook.
Mark Robinson says
Totally agree with you.
Eric Dye says
Right. I think it’s for gaining big ad bucks, essentially–aka: paid spam.