The above screenshot is taken from one of my Facebook friend’s walls. I saw it on my news feed among other friends’ updates of this and that that they wanted to share with me.
I blinked at the word “Sponsored” as I hadn’t seen a sponsored update before. Clicking the link, I learned about sponsored stories and how companies and brands can choose to pay select Facebook users for the privilege of sharing that brand page with their friends.
Here’s how it works
* Say you like your gym’s Facebook Page
* Some friends see the story in their news feeds, others may miss it
* The owner of the gym can pay to sponsor the story so your friends are more likely to see itWho can see sponsored stories
You decide who can see what you share on Facebook. When a story is sponsored, it’s shown to the same people you originally shared it with.What kind of stories can be sponsored
* When a Page you like posts something new
* When a friend likes something (such as a Facebook Page or individual Page post)
* When a friend engages with a Page (such as RSVPing to a Page’s event or voting on a Page’s question)
* When a friend checks in somewhere, plays a game or uses an app
* When a friend likes or shares a website
To the brands reading my blog: I have over 700 friends on Facebook. It’s not as high as others I know who have 3,000 plus, but it’s still a significant amount. Many social media professionals around the world are subscribed to my updates, even if they’re not friends. I’d love to share your stories with them. If you want to pay me, you know what to do next.
UPDATE: Companies do not pay you, but they pay Facebook for the privilege of sponsoring a story. The source I cited above implied (to me) the user got paid but folks have since indicated I read it wrong. Sorry.
About Ari Herzog
I would like to be paid to use Facebook too!
Now, talking serious… i suppose this is in cases of people with many friends who are in the target criteria of these companies.
Sorry but i have to leave you now, i’m going to add some friends to my facebook account…
Cheers!
As it is a part of Facebook’s new advertisement plans, I’m almost positive that businesses are not paying users to “Like” their page, but rather paying Facebook for placement of the story. That’s what I have read around the web at least… https://www.facebook.com/business/sponsoredstories/
If you find out more about this, I’d be interested in learning more about how to make some money off of this as well!
Yes, you’re right. I’m wrong. Someone else tweeted me about the inaccuracy. The way I read the Facebook link above is the user got paid; I guess I misread that!
I did read the update but:
Ironically Facebook has become the definition of junk mail. Junk mail worked on a 1% basis. Assuming you get a 1% return it benefits you to throw out thousands if not hundreds of thousands of queries instead of hundreds. Because 1% of 1000 is 10 vs 1% of 100 which is 1.
But the 700 friends you have I think is a better bet someone who has 200-300 friends more than likely knows who all of them are as opposed to the person with 8000 friends who probably couldn’t tell you who half of them are. There’s value in that because you’re more likely to be the type of person people pay attention to. Anyone with 1000 friends on Facebook is a promoter. Promoters get ignored even if you know them in real life. Especially then. If my cousin has 3800 friends on Facebook he’s putting all sorts of “Friend me/followback” nonsense all the time. I ignore him. If he has something important to say I’ll get an e-mail or see him in person.
It’s definitely interesting how paid Facebook advertising is working now, not sure how people will take this move. With this and for other reasons I am wondering if Facebook’s golden era is well and truly over. It will still be used but not to the extent it once was.
I never noticed this or gave it a thought. Facebook is a major source for driving target traffic to many websites.
Hi Ari,
This is very interesting, now I know why I get people sending me messages to like a certain page. To be honest, it’s quite annoying so I don’t do it. I use Facebook for personal use only, mainly to keep in touch with friends and family. But now that you’ve mentioned it, I think an opportunity to make some money while browsing the site is not so bad. I will definitely look into this further.
- Cristina
People with what’s commonly known as a ‘high-SNP’ (Social Networking Potential) are more likely to be able to benefit from this. High-SNP individuals have a large following (friends + followers), but that alone is not enough. High-SNP individuals also possess the ability to reach out to each and every person who follows/friends them. I think if FB were to choose someone to pay, they would choose users with a high-SNP.
Everybody would love to get paid while doing very little and that includes me too. But let’s get with reality, too many people are engaged in social media but no social life. Cause there is no time for that.