Facebook to test paid groups as it expands the number of paid services on its site 

Facebook users will be able to pay to gain access to exclusive groups on the site.
Facebook users will be able to pay to gain access to exclusive groups on the site. Credit: AFP

Facebook will allow some groups on its site to charge a monthly membership fee, the company announced on Wednesday.

Group members will pay between $5 (£3.79) and $30 to become members of premium communities, Facebook said. Example groups that will charge for membership include a home organisation community and a budget cooking advice group.

Facebook isn’t going to take a cut of the membership fees while the test runs, but the experiment gives Facebook the opportunity to make more money in the future from the 1bn people who use its groups feature.

Facebook is gradually positioning itself as a way for internet creators to reach their fans, and to make money from them. Earlier this week, Facebook...

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