Facebook Narcissism - Pay to Highlight your Status Updates

Image Credit: Stuff.co.nz

Facebook has begun testing a new feature in a country where it seems to do all it's testing - New Zealand. Spotted by one user who spread the news which in turn caught on like wildfire. It is something called a "Highlight". This option will let your post stay a little longer on top of your friends news feeds to make sure that more of your friends get to see your status updates. This hold good if you also have subscribers. In case your're wondering why Facebook would be offering something like this it is because your status updates get seen by only 12% of your friends on average. This has been called by many Facebook users as "Facebook Narcissism" meaning in our modern day use of the word - egoism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness. Why would users want to highlight their posts, maybe to get more replies and likes?

Facebook 'Highlight' how does it work?

When you post a status updated you will see 'Highlight' next to the comment and like below your status. Clicking on it you will either get an option to use it free or pay a dollar or two to use it. Depending on which testing group you belong to. Facebook is testing it free to see if people would even be interested and want to use it. Once you pay your $2 your post will stay longer on top of your friends news feeds and will gain more visibility. It will also stay on top of your subscribers news feeds.  

What Facebook has to say about it?

“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.”

Why use it?

Maybe in a medical emergency, someone needs a kidney donor, renting out an apartment, moving away from the city - come say goodbye. These could be probable way to use it in a nice way. Other users however might just use it as a nice prank and have fun. There will be many and numerous ways to exploit this new feature. If it works Facebook would have developed a new way to get money out of users who don't usually spend on Facebook and hey, this would be one new sweet source of income anyway. 

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Sociolatte