3 ms·

I actually don't think that advertising is Facebook's future. The intent isn't there in the same way it is with a Google search. However, I do think Facebook

by frisco 14y ago

I actually don't think that advertising is Facebook's future. The intent isn't there in the same way it is with a Google search. However, I do think Facebook has a bright future with payments: imagine "Pay with Facebook" buttons throughout the web, with Facebook's business as essentially being the IRS of the internet. They could even require sites that integrate with Facebook Platform (which is very powerful and valuable) to use Facebook Payments in the same way Apple requires Apps to use in-app purchasing. No more credit card numbers to worry about: just one-click purchasing tied to the real-identity account you're already connected to. I have no trouble seeing that as a great business, and they've barely begun to scratch the surface there. They could even move into physical transactions if they bring back the Presence RFID dongle or start issuing pin/chip Facebook-linked cards.

gr2020 14y ago
I think they've got a ways to go before they can become ubiquitous for payments in general. They have a problem where a ton of people just don't trust them - and IMHO you've got to have trust to become a successful payments platform. "Yet in the poll of U.S. adults published Tuesday, only 13 percent said they trust Facebook 'completely' or 'a lot' when it comes to keeping their personal information private. A majority, or 59 percent, said they trust Facebook 'only a little,' or 'not at all.'" http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57437362/lack-of-trust-in-facebook-may-hold-back-ad-sales/ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57437362/lack-of-trus... That said, Paypal isn't exactly loved by many, and they seem to be doing well, so maybe I'm holding FB to too high a standard...
sanxiyn 14y ago
Relevant: http://excapite.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/facebank-mybank-and-bankedin/ http://excapite.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/facebank-mybank-and...
sopooneo 14y ago
Someone else just mentioned that to me the other day, and it makes some sense. But isn't it the case that television ads don't have intent associated with them either? And those seemed to work for a long time even though they were less targeted. So while intent might be a major factor, it seems it can't be the primary difference.

by frisco 14y ago

gr2020 14y ago

I think they've got a ways to go before they can become ubiquitous for payments in general. They have a problem where a ton of people just don't trust them - and IMHO you've got to have trust to become a successful payments platform. "Yet in the poll of U.S. adults published Tuesday, only 13 percent said they trust Facebook 'completely' or 'a lot' when it comes to keeping their personal information private. A majority, or 59 percent, said they trust Facebook 'only a little,' or 'not at all.'" http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57437362/lack-of-trust-in-facebook-may-hold-back-ad-sales/ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57437362/lack-of-trus... That said, Paypal isn't exactly loved by many, and they seem to be doing well, so maybe I'm holding FB to too high a standard...

sanxiyn 14y ago

Relevant: http://excapite.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/facebank-mybank-and-bankedin/ http://excapite.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/facebank-mybank-and...

sopooneo 14y ago

Someone else just mentioned that to me the other day, and it makes some sense. But isn't it the case that television ads don't have intent associated with them either? And those seemed to work for a long time even though they were less targeted. So while intent might be a major factor, it seems it can't be the primary difference.