Facebook testing $100 charge to message to non-friends

Facebook

Updated 4:30 p.m. ET

Facebook is testing out a feature that charges users $100 to send direct messages to strangers on the social network.

When attempting to send Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg a message, the blog Mashable claimed it got a message that read: "You aren't connected to Mark on Facebook, so your message would normally get filtered to his Other folder."

The message sender was given two options: "Send this message to his inbox for $100" or "Just send this message to his Other folder."

• Facebook tests $1 fee for messages to non-friends
• How Facebook's paid-message plan could backfire

Facebook's messaging system is set up so that only users' friends can send private messages that will get delivered to inboxes. All other messages get filtered to a folder called "Other."

Facebook told CBS News in a statement: "We are testing some extreme price points to see what works to filter spam."

CNN reported that the charge to send a message also applied to Facebook COO Sheryl Sandburg and CFO David Ebersman.

Facebook is already testing a feature that would charge user $1 to have a message delivered to the inbox of anyone on the social network. The company says charging for messages may discourage spam. 

In a December 2012 press release, the social network said it was experimenting with the "usefulness of economic signals to determine relevance."

[xFrail]

I think everyone is missing the point here. They don't actually expect you to pay anything. It's to block you from being spammed crap. If you don't have someone added and they try to message you, it says they will have to pay to do this. This way you are not being harassed by people you don't even know. If YOU want to message someone, odds are you most likely have them added, or can add them.

[SJF_Philippines]

I hope even though this looks profitable in facebook, they should never forget what happened to Friendster and myspace. Millions can sign it, but once people start to move to other social spaces like Google +, there is no turning back.
This is actually a fact.

The objective of facebook to connect with friends. Putting a cap on the main objective gives the limit which makes people look for other alternatives.
I just hope this comment reaches facebook though.. lol

[BeachGeckoRachel]

Well, first of all, it's supposed to be a dollar, not a hundred.
As a Facebook user, I found this rather upsetting. I use Facebook to connect and network with volunteers for a local non-profit I run. We are constantly receiving new volunteers who want to help out, but I can't message them if they aren't on my friends list. I shouldn't have to allow these volunteers to my profile in order to message them for free. I've began switching over to Google+. I even moved my business page over to Google+ to give that a go. At the rate Facebook is going, less and less people will continue to use it.

[xFrail]

You could simply make a 'group' and be able to easily communicate with individuals or many to all of the people in the group.

[get_down]

I've no intention nor desire to ever become a FB user. I've absolutely no problem sending Email to any one or any business. I can contact with whomever I need/want to. Soooo why in the world I need to become a FB user?

[micmac666]

Why? To provide advertising revenue to a venture that provides no useful product or service. And, of course for desperately needed social interaction with other like-minded dweebs. They would have to pay ME to face-sit or twit or whatever the latest fadette may be. I do enjoy the indignation from folks who seem to think that free use of this cr@p is a God-given right, though. It's interesting how quickly we take things for granted.

[bigstephen1]

MARK ZUCKERBERG NEEDS TO GET A REAL LIFE INSTEAD OF BLOCKING PEOPLE FROM THERE FRIEND REQUEST AND HE TO QUIT SUSPENDING PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK THAT IS HIS THING......I HOPE HE READS THIS post cuz mark is really a cheapskate cheapskate cheapskate cheapskate cheapskate for you mark zuckerberg you are a fricken cheapskate!

[bigstephen1]

TO MARK ZUCKERBERG THE JERK THATS BEEN SUSPENDING MY ACCOUNT ON FACEBOOK AND MY FRIENDS REQUEST FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME EVER SINCE I JOINED THE SITE HE HAS BEEN HARRESING AND BLOCKING MY FAMILY ON FACEBOOK WHEN I HAVE TO GET A HOLED OF THEM EVEN WHEN I DON,T HAVE A CELL PHONE I THINK MARK ZUCKERBERG SHOULD BE FIRED FROM HIS JOB CUZ I DO NOTTT LIKE HIM ONE BIT IT DON,T MATTER IF I DID ADD MY ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ON FACE BOOK HE STILL....BLOCKS ME ANY WAY AND HE BLOCKS ME FOR 30 FRICKEN DAYS AND SOME TIMES FOR 7 DAYS AND SOME TIMES EVEN MORE LIKE 70 DAYS AND I DON,T LIKE IT AND IM GETTING SICK OF HIS ****... I AM PISSED OFF AND HE ACTS LIKE A 2 YEAR AND LIKE A KID MARK ZUCKERBERG IS A ROTTEN BOYYYYYYYYYY AND A DUM ASS HE NEEDS TO HAVE RESPECT FOR OTHERS ON FACE BOOK BY THE WAY WHY WOULD ANY ONE PAY FOR FACEBOOK ITS A DAME SCAM ALL MARK ZUCKERBERG WANTS A MORE MONEY AND HE IS NOT GONNA GET WHAT HE WANTS IN LIFE COME TO THINK OF IT I DON,T THINK MARK ZUCKERBERG IS NOTTTTTTT ALLLL THERE I THINK MARK HAS A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[micmac666]

You may want to adjust your meds and think of something else. 'Just a suggestion. Good luck.

[mcdanel_1771]

Big Stephen, thank you for your illuminating comments. I'm stunned that Mr. Zukerberg would reject your overtures of friendship, and can't believe he would take it upon himself to block others from receiving your messages, simply shocking, and I suggest you sue.

[micmac666]

Get back to me when they pay $100 to log on.

[esq777]

Facebook is for losers without a real social life, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of them would pay the fee.

[realtimecoffee]

I wonder if anyone actually did.

[realtimecoffee]

Maybe the USPS should try this. Friends get letters at the regular price and others pay 5 or 10 bucks to send mailbox spam.

[bobnjersey]

[Facebook is testing out a feature that charges users $100 to send direct messages to strangers on the social network]
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i'll pay you a trillion dollars for each message ... as long as you accept my very own 'self minted' trillion dollar coins.