New Business Model for Facebook?

Buried in the technology section of today’s BBC Online is an article entitled “Facebook tests ‘pay to promote post” tool. “Can’t be!” you say? Read on…

Apparently, a trial being conducted in New Zealand tests whether users will be willing to pay a small fee to improve visibility of their posts to friends. A Facebook spokesperson told the BBC, “We’re constantly testing new features across the site… this particular test is simply to gauge people’s interest in this method of sharing with their friends.”

Prices range from 25p to 1.25 Pounds – that’s about $2 USD – and posters may pay via credit card or PayPal.

What’s next, for Facebook? Of course, no one knows. It’s hard to see under the hoodie of Mr. Zuckerberg.