Facebook is experimenting with paid messages sent to strangers

By Shawn Knight
Dec 21, 2012
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  1. Facebook is testing a new feature that will allow some users to send messages to people they aren't friends with. It may not sound like a big deal initially until you realize that the social network will be charging for...

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  2. Yup, ever since facebook went public....I don't see people reacting kindly to all this monetizing.
    Google+ is right around the corner.
  3. Agreed you can only push people so they not make enough from personal information and advertising?
  4. Yup, another facebook fail. I know I would not pay a penny to do anything on that site.
  5. Nothing new here, LinkedIn has been doing this for years. Facebook's new name in 2013 = Checkbook.
  6. Don't understand why people are riled up by allowing someone sending face book message. Can't someone already do it if they know your email address? Also, LinkedIn is already doing that with "InMail" and I did not see any uproar over it.

    I am not a fan of Facebook privacy policies but I don't think this one is a huge deal. It's not that someone is given access to your profile for a dollar! :)
  7. "Sign up. It’s free and always will be."

    ... maybe they should clarify that the statement above strictly refers to signing up for Facebook, not necessarily to the use of all of its services.
  8. I sure would like to get that dollar for someone sending me email. Imagine all of the SPAMMERS out there who make money hand over fist. I have to accept their trash and not get anything for it?
  9. tehbanz

    tehbanz TS Enthusiast Posts: 183   +10

    People are just going to add people as friends and then send messages for free... I don't get it.
  10. My new years resolution is to deactivate my facebook account.
    dikbozo likes this.
  11. Like always, some people here just don't clue in and see beyond what is written. If someone has to explain how this is a good thing to you, maybe you need to learn how to comprehend things better. RE-READ it till you see how this is a great thing they are implementing. If you STILL can't see it, give up.

  12. Just like promote, this feature is for businesses to message you. It is a way to make money off of spam for facebook.
    tehbanz likes this.
  13. So they will pay me when I will receive unsolicited messages?
    Maybe that's not that bad :)
    Oh, wait I did read this from the bad end, well who need FB anyway? I can live without ;) Can you ?
    Divvet likes this.
  14. Adhmuz

    Adhmuz TechSpot Paladin Posts: 1,131   +175

    I can't believe it, I've run out of fingers before reason why not to have a facebook account... The overall lack of intelligence of the masses still baffles me, you know, theres this thing called CALLING somebody, been around for over 100 years. Telemarketers use this technology why can't simpletons. The idea of paying to send a message on facebook is so wrong, and to top it off it's to someone you don't even know. Honestly whats the point, other than to piss someone off or advertisement. Seriously think about it, instead of paying for that message you can save a starving child, or make an actual difference, not be some tool in a corporate plot to make rich people richer. This is the problem with the current generation, people much rather spend money to bother someone then help someone. Society as a whole is going the wrong way. Free yourself from the tyranny that is facebook, you can be a better person without it.
    BlueDrake, dikbozo and cliffordcooley like this.
  15. vpix360

    vpix360 TS Rookie

    If Mark was a "humanitarian," and that $1 dollar went to education, St. Judes Children's Hospital, a college fund, etc. -- I might applaud the effort. Contact a stranger for some marketing purpose like LinkedIn might be a good idea -- and that $1 goes to Charity.

    I can feel good about that.

    But the outrageous greed and capitalism I see being put into play here -- completely disgusts me with Facebook. I hate them already for removing the old Facebook interface and cramming down Timeline down my throat.

    How many times has Twitter and other social networks been hacked previously? Now we invite more with this stupid stunt. What's next, Mark? Charging for "Likes?"

    Posting more credit cards on the Facebook system only invites more hackers, more thefts of credit crds and identity.

    Way to go, Facebook. It's just another train wreck waiting to happen.

    Charging $1 buck for strangers to contact me and shove down some stupid "get rich quick offer," or invite me to play Farmville or Mafia Wars is pretty worthless to me and millions of others.

    I can opt out of being contacted to begin with. It's the law.

    You've already been spanked by the Feds on privacy issues before, Mark. Do you really want to kick a sleeping bear again?
  16. learninmypc

    learninmypc TS Evangelist Posts: 6,446   +291

  17. This is a great idea...

    That way, only people who really... really want to speak at me, will. Instead of all the BS facebook has become.
  18. Brach Speicher

    Brach Speicher TS Rookie

    I don't understand how people aren't getting that this is essentially an anti-spam policy enforcement. Only corporations will be able to afford the rather steep price of advertising in this manner on Facebook, and Facebook also has an even bigger monetary incentive to crack down on spam. I'm not seeing the downside here, folks.
  19. dodong

    dodong TS Rookie

    The purpose is to avoid spammers.
  20. Divvet

    Divvet TS Rookie Posts: 57   +19

    Mark is that you?
  21. I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the sense of entitlement that fuels "outrage" at this move.

    Listen people, don't like it? Then stop using the service you pay absolutely nothing for anyway.

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