Facebook Tests Letting Group Admins Charge for Access

Several times over the years, hoaxes take popped up claiming that Facebook would be charging for access. Now, that'south sort of actually happening with Facebook groups.

The social network on Wednesday said it's piloting a characteristic that will let grouping administrators charge membership fees for access to sectional content. At this point, Facebook is testing this feature with "a pocket-size number of groups."

"We hear from group admins that they're looking for ways to help them earn coin to deepen engagement with their members and proceed to support their communities," Facebook groups Product Director Alex Deve wrote in a web log post. He pointed out that group admins tin already create subscribers-only groups and utilise 3rd-political party tools to collect payments.

Facebook created subscription groups to "arrive easier for admins to provide these experiences with built-in tools, and to relieve them time so they tin focus on offering members-only content," Deve wrote.

Ane newly-launched subscription group chosen Organize My Home, for instance, is charging $14.99 per calendar month for access to "mini-projects, group challenges, trainings, and live Q&A" to help with home organisation, according to admin Sarah Mueller. Others include Grown and Flown Parents: Higher Admissions and Affordability, which offers access to college counselors to aid the parents of loftier schoolers navigate the college application process, and Meal Planning Fundamental Premium, which offers weekly meal plans and shopping lists organized past grocery store.

"As we learn from this pilot and understand how grouping members feel about subscription groups, we'll continue to improve this experience to help admins offering more to their members and continue to invest in their communities," Deve wrote.

Facebook users can sign up and manage their subscriptions to members-only groups through the Facebook app for iOS or Android.

Facebook is letting grouping admins charge betwixt $4.99 and $29.99 per calendar month, according to TechCrunch. The report notes that Facebook won't be taking a portion of the revenue during this trial, but may somewhen start request for a cutting.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'due south good on fitness and smart home products. Education yoga for well-nigh 10 years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength preparation machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to name a few.