Saturday, 22 December 2012

Facebook to charge $1 for messages to non friends

Morning papers today informed that Facebook is going to charge certain types of messages $1 per message.

However query to Facbook's Help gave following reply

Will Facebook ever charge for service?

No. We will always keep Facebook a free service for everyone.

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But it is known for a while now that Facebook is trying to look for good revenue generation model after it sIPO debut on NYSE. It is under severe pressure from its investors to implement a good revenue generation model with its share price tanking more than half since its debut. In fact last week, Instagram owned by it, tried the same but it backfired. Instagram did a complete U Turn by first issuing a statement about using users images for ad revenues and subsequently revising its statement due to the furore it unleashed in the internet community over its first statement.

The Hindustan Times informed Facebook has started a pilot project aimed at charging 1$ for messages sent by non friends. Until now only relevant messages were received into inbox and other irrelevant messages ended up 'Other' folder. Facebook is trying to target just that and its spokesperson has stated that 1$ is not the optimum price.

This feature is similar to the 'Inmail' feature from LinkedIn Corp, which lets users to send messages to other non linked LinkedIn members for a fee.

Actually this may be good news for users as spam senders may find this costly and thus resulting in less spam. But the question remains will Facebook remain free over the years. I don't think so. Given the pressure from investors in Facebook, for generation of revenue, Facebook, over time may give in to their demands. Only time will tell if that happens.