Facebook: paid private messages in testing phase

Facebook is seeking new ways to monetize and bring cash into its coffers.
The new initiative, still entirely in the testing phase, involves the possibility of sending paid messages.
A limited number of US subscribers have been included in the trial program for this new private messaging method.
In practice, users will have the option to send private messages to people outside their friend list, paying $1 for each send.
This experiment would allow the message to be received directly in the inbox, as is the case with communications sent by friends.
Currently, however, messages from unknown users are automatically archived in a specific folder, thus not appearing in the usual flow of messages from known contacts.
It is then up to the recipient to decide whether or not to read the communication received from the contact not on their friends list.

With the payment of $1 for sending private messages, this step is effectively skipped entirely, thus allowing the message in question to be delivered directly.
Facebook assures that this test is being conducted with the aim of introducing a tool to discourage redundant, inappropriate, or simply unwanted message sending.
The paid method is not far removed from the ability to give more visibility to one’s advertisements, paying about $7 to “promote” one’s updates.
Is this the future of Facebook? How many users will appreciate a provision of this kind? While this tactic might lead some companies to invest in this direction, it is unlikely that the average subscriber building their online social network will see any real benefit.