Saturday, May 10, 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.

A business should remain on the good graces of its consumers and I am sure that online marketing companies, across the board, would be able to agree. Keep in mind that individuals do want clutter - firms such as fishbat would be able to agree - so the addition of a new app to one's smartphone might not be preferred. Also, I've noticed that it looks as though Facebook is trying to force this change upon users. It's a sudden change, which is a big no-no in various forms of media.

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?

Will Facebook pull back on this change, thereby making it seem as though it hadn't happened in the first place? It's hard to say, especially when this particular story is still so young at this point. With that said, though, a company should not take it upon itself to remove features for any reason whatsoever. To me, it goes against what consumers want and hopefully, in time, this news story will be looked at as one that can be considered as nothing but a blemish on the part of Facebook.




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