Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Online Marketing Companies & Facebook's Removal Of Mobile Messaging

By Robbie Sutter


It goes without saying but Facebook is arguably the largest social media network in the world. With so many people who have access to both the Facebook site as well as its mobile alternatives, it's hard to deny that it is a heavily utilized site. With that said, though, is it possible that Facebook is taking more control of its mobile efforts, for better or worse? Judging by the fact that it is removing messaging from its app, it could be a point for online marketing companies to key in on.

Facebook recently said that it would be making efforts to remove the messaging function from its main mobile app. What this would mean is that those users would have to download the standalone Messenger program for this purpose. The news was relayed to those in Europe and it seems like the news in question was met with, to say the least, a mixed response. Online marketing companies can see that while this is an effort made to allow the Messenger app to stand out, it might not be for the best.

However, I can see this move raising the ire of many a Facebook user and I am sure that online marketing companies would be able to agree. To put it simply, people dislike clutter, which is a point that is supported by firms along the lines of fishbat as well. In addition, it seems like Facebook is forcing this change upon its users as opposed to allowing them to become more used to the change over time. A sudden shift, in my view, is not going to sit well.

I do not want to see this go down in a similar fashion to Microsoft's announced DRM of the Xbox One prior to its release. After all, it is important to note that the console itself came under heavy fire on account of the inclusion of DRM restrictions to degrees which have not been seen in video game consoles in the past. The gaming masses voiced their displeasure and, as a result, Microsoft decided to simply release the console without said restrictions. Could Facebook turn a similar corner with the omission of its messaging function through its main app?

If you'd like my take on whether or not Facebook is going to do away with this change, it'd be hard to say. After all, the story in question is still pretty recent and I do not think that everyone has been given the time to allow it to digest. However, it can be said that this news drew a tremendous amount of criticism, which makes me wonder if Facebook will actually stay with this. To me, only time will tell but I hope that it does not heavily impact Facebook's credibility in a negative way.




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