“It’s free and always will be.” Facebook will have kept its promise for almost twenty years. Just like almost all of the competing social networks. But the industry’s biggest taboo – the move to a paid model – is falling. Meta has just announced a subscription at $11.99, which will allow Internet users to authenticate their identity and have more visibility on the network. An offer very similar to that which Elon Musk, the first to cross the paying Rubicon, launched on Twitter a few months ago.
Why such a sudden change? Because the cake of online advertising is attracting more and more gourmets (TikTok, Amazon, Netflix, etc.). Despite the impact on his wallet, the switch to payment could be beneficial for the Internet user.
When he is not the customer but “the product”, the social network is obviously not built with his best interests in mind. These platforms have also continued to reduce social features (see friends, etc.) in favor of addictive mechanics that leave Internet users dazed and ashamed after hours of “scrolling”. The 180 degree turn of Twitter and Facebook is unfortunately taking place in a chaotic manner. Instead of offering innovative features, designed to improve the experience of Internet users (letting them choose much more precisely the type of publications presented to them, for example), the platforms are content to play around with old functions to make them pay. Damage.
