Facebook to charge people to get into groups in new trial

Facebook is looking towards new ways of monetising its users beyond using their data to target them with ads, with trials beginning for paid group subscriptions.

Groups have become one of the most popular features on Facebook, allowing people to join together to discuss their interests such as their local area or hobbies.

Now administrators of certain groups will be able to charge its members between $4.99 and $29.99 per month for exclusive access to content.

"We hear from group admins that they're looking for ways to help them earn money to deepen engagement with their members and continue to support their communities," Facebook said in a blog post.

"This subscription groups pilot is testing with a small number of groups across a range of interests who will share input and feedback along the way."

One of the groups trialling the new paid subscription model is Declutter My Home, which was set up by Sarah Mueller to inspire people to tidy up their apartment or house.

"With the new Organise My Home subscription group, I will be able to provide this new community with more interactive ways to having an organised home... while still keeping the original group as a robust community for getting free advice and motivation," Ms Mueller said in the Facebook post.

It is not the first time Facebook has experimented with a subscription-based service, having announced in March that it would help users creating content to "build a business" on the platform.

As creators spend more time making content and engaging with their fans, they want to be able to earn money for their work," Facebook said at the time.

"We plan to offer a range of monetization options to serve the wide range of creators at various stages of their journeys."

Facebook did not set a timeframe for the groups trial nor say if or when it would be rolled out to more groups. Facebook will not, at least for now, be taking a cut of the subscription fees charged to users.