New ‘Pay to Promote Post’ Tool from Facebook

Facebook users from New Zealand were the first in the world to test a new tool from the social network. The new tool, ‘pay to promote post’, allows users to make their messages more visible among their connections.

It seems that the true goal for Facebook in releasing this tool is to see if people would really pay in order to draw more attention the information they post. Payments for this tool can be made via credit card or PayPal. There are several ways to make posts more visible currently being tested. Comments suggest that the prices vary from 25p or 50p up to £1.25 ($2).

“We’re constantly testing new features across the site,” said spokesperson for BBC. “This particular test is simply to gauge people’s interest in this method of sharing with their friends.”

“We’re going to see a lot more ideas like this where they are testing out different ways to try to make money,” declared Ian Maude, internet analyst at Enders Analysis.

Let’s not forget that the social network will soon see some changes – IPO listing and everything that it entails. Mr Maude added also that Mark Zuckerberg “always said he wants to make money to run the company not run the company to make money.”

It seems that Facebook is trying to capitalize as much as possible on its huge user base. It is likely that some users would pay to see some of their posts highlighted especially if that means more clicks that, in the end, bring more traffic to the Facebook profile or a given link that could also be a part of a paid campaign. The tool seems particularly promising for experts, consultants and brands trying to gain more customers via the social network.

A real success or failure of the new tool will take some time to spot, as users’ behaviour and adoption may vary from country to country