Facebook announced yesterday that it's launched a new feature that's sure to be of interest to promo product pros. Users can now order real gifts for their connections directly through the social network.
According to Facebook's official post, "Every day, millions of people share special moments with their friends on Facebook by saying 'Happy Birthday,' 'Congratulations,' or simply, 'I'm thinking of you.' Now there is another way to celebrate those moments." While the sentiment is nice, I can't help but think Facebook's probably in it for the money.
And I'm not the only one. The Washington Post writes: "This could be a lucrative venture for Facebook, particularly given the increased iPhone integration in iOS 6 that puts the network and its birthday calendar in easy reach."
Participating companies include big names like Starbucks and teddy bear manufacturer Gund. As of now, it's unclear what percentage of revenue will end up in partner companies' hands. But, as the Washington Post points out, Facebook's massive audience is likely a huge draw for businesses.
Right now, the service allows a user to purchase a gift for a friend. But could it one day be used for distributing promotional products? Being able to send an item to a list of friends (or to all friends, for that matter) could present a huge opportunity for advertising to niche audiences.
What do you think? Could it happen in the future?
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