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December 21, 2012

Facebook to Charge Users to Send Messages

By Carlos Olivera, TMCnet Content Producer

Have you ever messaged a Facebook (News - Alert) user you weren’t friends with and never got a response? It may not be that you were being ignored; chances are the messaged is currently sitting in a folder many Facebook users don’t know they have.



With a $1 surcharge, users can now ensure their message will reach the proper inbox.

In 2011, the “Other” folder launched where Facebook reroutes messages they deem less relevant. The routed messages aren’t necessarily spam; they’re generally messages from people you don’t know depending on your Facebook friends and connections.

Although Facebook claims this is just a “small experiment,” only a small percentage of users will be forced to use the service. This service is only for individuals, not businesses, in an effort to discouraging spammers from blasting unwanted content across the social network.

"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."

Some users may find this service helpful, but others may see it as another money grabbing scheme. Facebook also recently introduced the “Promote Your Post” service. For $7, users are able to act like advertisers and can “promote” their posts to their friends.

Facebook also recently opened Facebook Gifts, which allows users to instantly send real gifts ranging from clothes to wine. Users are indeed allowed to send wine to their Facebook friends assuming they are 21 or older.

"Now you can instantly send real gifts, digital gift cards, charitable donations and wine to your friend’s right from Facebook," the company said in a short blog post.

Facebook hasn’t stated just how many users will see this service in the test phase, but with over a billion users, this has the potential to be a lucrative idea. 

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.




Edited by Braden Becker
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