Facebook is one of the largest and most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 2.9 billion monthly active users as of 2022. With such a massive user base, Facebook relies heavily on recruiting new users to join and remain active on its platform. This raises the question – does Facebook have a referral bonus program to incentivize existing users to invite their friends and contacts to join?
What is a referral bonus program?
A referral bonus program is an incentive structure where current users are rewarded for bringing in new users. The reward is usually in the form of cash, account credits, or other prizes. Referral programs are commonly used by companies and platforms looking to grow their user base.
Referral bonuses encourage existing users to promote the brand and invite new users. This allows companies to leverage their current customer base for marketing purposes. Referral programs can be highly effective in cost-effectively acquiring new users at scale.
Many tech companies and online platforms have implemented referral bonuses to fuel their growth. Some well-known examples include Dropbox, Airbnb, Uber, and PayPal. The referral reward amounts and requirements vary across companies.
Does Facebook currently offer a referral bonus program?
As of October 2022, Facebook does not have an active referral bonus program for individual users to earn rewards for inviting friends to join Facebook.
Facebook previously tested and offered referral bonuses periodically between 2007-2017. However, the social media platform has discontinued such programs in recent years.
Some key points on Facebook’s past referral bonus programs:
- Between 2007-2009, Facebook gave users $10 in Facebook Credits for each friend they referred who signed up and remained active for at least 60 days.
- In 2012, Facebook tested a $40 referral bonus for users who referred 4 friends who became active members.
- In 2013, Facebook offered a limited time $5 referral reward.
- In 2014, Facebook discontinued its referral program before launching a revamped version in 2015.
- In 2015, Facebook’s referral program gave invites $5 each for up to 5 successful referrals.
- The latest referral program ended in 2017, after which Facebook has not offered bonuses for inviting friends.
While Facebook currently does not offer direct referral bonuses, it occasionally runs invite campaigns where users can earn entry into sweepstakes for inviting friends. However, there are no guaranteed rewards.
Why did Facebook discontinue referral bonuses?
There are several potential reasons why Facebook may have moved away from monetary referral bonus programs:
- User base saturation – With over 2.9 billion users, Facebook has fewer avenues for major user acquisition. Viral growth is slower at this scale, reducing the need for referral incentives.
- Cost reduction – Referral bonuses can become expensive at Facebook’s size. Discontinuing the program likely saved costs.
- Controversies – Referral incentives could be viewed as “bribes” for data/information about one’s contacts. This may have led to reputational concerns.
- Focus on organic sharing – Facebook wants users to share and engage organically vs requiring incentives. Removing bonuses aligns with this focus.
- Regulatory pressures – Referral rewards that exchange data for compensation could have raised regulatory red flags.
Additionally, Facebook may have felt its scale and brand recognition were enough to drive viral growth without needing to pay referral rewards. The costs likely outweighed the marginal benefits as Facebook grew to its massive size.
Are there any ways to earn money from Facebook currently?
While Facebook got rid of bonuses for referring friends, there are some limited ways users can potentially earn money from Facebook in 2022:
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace allows users to sell new and used items locally to other users. Sellers can earn money by listing items for sale and completing transactions through Marketplace.
Facebook Gaming Creator Monetization
Creators who live stream games on Facebook Gaming can make money through ad revenue shares, fan support like stars and subscriptions, and platform partnerships via the Facebook Gaming Partner Program.
Facebook Ad Monetization for Content Creators
Video content creators on Facebook can monetize their content through ad placements. Revenue earned depends on content views and engagement.
Facebook Sponsored Posts
Businesses and influencers can earn money by creating sponsored posts and content on behalf of brands and advertisers.
However, none of these constitute bonus rewards or incentives for referring friends like Facebook’s past referral programs.
Will Facebook bring back referral bonuses in the future?
It seems unlikely in the near future. Facebook is still growing steadily without incentive programs. Regulatory scrutiny around data privacy also makes it riskier for Facebook to implement programs seen as compensating for data.
However, Facebook could potentially reinstate referral bonuses if growth stalls significantly. It may test out bonuses again in limited markets or with specific demographics. Referral programs can also be repackaged to align with changing cultural or regulatory norms.
Much also depends on Facebook’s business priorities going forward. A greater focus on acquiring new users vs optimizing revenue from existing users could spark renewed interest in referral programs.
In summary, while Facebook currently has no bonuses for referring friends, there is a small chance the company could revive referral programs in some form down the line if the context and incentives align.
Conclusion
Facebook previously offered monetary bonuses for users who referred their friends and contacts to join Facebook. However, the platform discontinued its referral program in 2017 and currently does not provide any rewards for inviting friends.
Facebook likely removed its referral bonuses due to maturation of its user base, shifting company priorities, regulatory pressures, reputational concerns, and a desire for organic growth. Users can still earn money on Facebook through limited avenues like Marketplace, gaming monetization, and sponsored content.
Referral incentives could potentially return if growth stagnates significantly. But in the near future, Facebook seems committed to relying on its sheer scale and engagement rather than bonuses to drive member acquisition.