Now pay monthly subscription fee to join groups on Facebook
What's the story
Facebook is introducing "Subscription Groups" where group admins on the platform can start charging a small monthly fee between $2.99-4.99 for exclusive membership. The feature will be first tested with groups related to parenting, cooking, and home cleaning. Since Facebook groups have always been free to join and access, it is to be seen how a paywall affects user behavior on the social network.
Exclusive version
Free Facebook groups will have option to launch premium sub-groups
Paying members will get access to exclusive content like video tutorials, lists and tips, and direct support from admins. One of the early adopters of the feature will be popular lifestyle blogger Sarah Mueller's "Declutter My Home" group. Mueller will start a premium sub-group for members called "Organize My Home" at $14.99 a month.
Charging for membership
Here is how the feature works
Admins will invite members to check out a premium offering by outlining content and cost details in a post. Willing members will be charged the monthly fee right away. This is to ensure that no member scrapes the exclusive content and leaves the group without paying for it. If a member cancels subscription mid-month, they'll still have access until their billing cycle ends.
The onus
The feature is in experiment-mode and only available on mobile
Facebook wants to test how much value can admins provide in exchange for money, what kind of content they post, if it justifies the premium, and if members get on board with any of this. While admins who put time and effort in helping their communities deserve the subscription model, Facebook also wants to see them invest that reward into "creating higher-quality content."
Monetization
Groups on Facebook have over a billion users
Facebook won't get a cut of whatever the group admins make. However, in line with standard App Store and Play Store policies, Apple and Google will get a 30% cut in the first year and 15% after that. But Facebook might eventually start monetizing groups by asking for a revenue share since it is one feature where the company cannot make money via advertising.