Los Angeles — Of late, it has become apparent that social networking humongous Facebook has been exploring various ways for new revenue streams. But, over the weekend, its ambition cracked open as the blogosphere has been swirling with sizzling idea that Facebook is running a test where it is possible to message people who are not your friends. Well, according to technology blog Mashable’s discovery, if you wish to place your message in a more visible position to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Inbox, then its only possible if for a cool $100.
In general, charging for messages inculcates a more efficient market and helps deter spam. If you receive a lot of mail, and most of it goes unread because there is no effective deterrent and no cost attached for people to send messages.
(Credit: Facebook)
In fact, keen social media analysts will recognize that last December, Facebook announced a $1 pay-to-message test allowing some people to pay to have a message routed to the Inbox of someone they are not connected with, instead of winding up in the “Other” messages folder that nobody ever really checks.
Amazingly, the “Other” folder is pretty much Facebook’s dumping ground for all messages it assumes you would not want to read urgently. It has been controversial for some time, as most users are entirely unaware of its existence — and many have been known to discover messages they really wish they’d read at the time, such as job offers.
During last month’s test, there were infrequent reports that the social media giant is charging various people $100 for the service, but this is the first time we have seen it– so it is possible we are starting to see the fruits of that, and certainly the first time we have seen it applied to the founder.
“Several commentators and researchers have noted that imposing a financial cost on the sender may be the most effective way to discourage unwanted messages and facilitate delivery of messages that are relevant and useful.”
But, the other way around, it could also be seen as Facebook letting people pay to spam your inbox and a novel way to fill its coffers. And maybe that is why Facebook is testing a $100 price point to send a single message. “We are testing some extreme price points to see what works to filter spam,” Facebook told Mashable, who first spotted the extreme test.
Nevertheless, it is quite unlikely that Facebook would rollout $100 messaging options globally; this is clearly what they said it is–and extreme test. But it is interesting to see what the company is doing to test the spam-blasting capabilities of the new product.