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Friday, May 11, 2012

Facebooks plays 'dirty'


Facebook starts charging users to highlight posts

TOM PULLAR-STRECKER
May 11, 2012 - 4:09PM


Supplied screencap of Facebook's new 'highlight' feature.

Facebook is considering charging its members $US2 ($1.98) to "highlight" important posts so they are more visible on the social networking site.

The feature is being trialled and was chanced across by a Facebook user in Whangarei, New Zealand, who initially assumed it might be a scam.

However, Facebook spokeswoman Mia Garlick confirmed it was a new "feature" it was testing.

"We're constantly testing new features across the site. This particular test is simply to gauge people's interest in this method of sharing with their friends," she said.

Facebook was trialling the feature at a range of different price points, including offering it "free", she said. This means that during the trial members may be asked for different amounts, or nothing, to use it.

The trial appears to mark Facebook's first attempt to make money from postings by regular users and comes as it is gearing up for a public listing which is expected to value the company at about $US90 billion.

The Whangarei man said he was given the option of paying to highlight status updates and picture posts with a yellow background when he logged on to his Facebook page this morning.



Read more:  News from Facebook



8 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Hmmm.
I don't play Facebook, but can see how this could make megabucks very quickly. Which would be very attractive to potential shareholders.
Hmmm again.

JohnD said...

And heaps for Facebook!

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

I actually shared the link on my Facebook page, John. I am of the opinion Facebook makes enough money off the advertisers. Just think if they didn't have millions of people using Facebook, they wouldn't be collecting all that money from advertisers ! Pfft !

momto8 said...

they certainly have a captive audience.

AstridsSoapbox said...

If they start that here, with me...might be time to give FB the flick.

JohnD said...

Facebook, aside from their poor security, have always has problems with maintaining consistent policies towards their users.

JohnD said...

I think that's what the realise and are counting on. Many of their younger generation members wont care , in fact may even like the idea if it gives them more prominence, as they have the disposable income not to let it worry them.

JohnD said...

The EnZud thing is intended to be a 'trial' and, in fairness, they are trying it elsewhere for no fee.