It seems like Facebook is looking for more ways to make money other than just advertising. The social network is reportedly testing Messenger payments services in India, according to a new report published by FactorDaily.
The reports says that Facebook has been trialling an option for Messenger users to top up their pre-paid mobile and data services straight from the messaging app. Sources who spoke to FactorDaily said that the company has been quietly working on building a payments platform, which is independent of WhatsApp payments. The payment platform is said to also allow buyers and sellers to purchase goods through its Marketplace shopping service within Facebook communities and peer-to-peer money transfers, as well as payments to merchants through Messenger.
Brands can target, connect and transact within users. For example, if a user connected with a grocery shop on Facebook, he or she can buy grocery from inside messenger. In the marketplace, the report says that the buyer will have to connect offline with the seller and will be able to complete online. This use cases might, however, change before the final launch as they’re still on the drawing board.
“The platform will be separate from WhatsApp and will allow peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant payments,” the source said.
Another source told FactorDaily that Facebook has already launched a beta version of recharge payments for mobile phone and other prepaid services on Messenger.
This is not actually Facebook is trialling this service in Messenger. The messaging app already supports payments for users in the US, UK and even France.
One thing we will, however, be looking out for is how soon Facebook plans to make this trials in other countries or continents like Africa where mobile phone payments are on the rise.
