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9to5 Mac reports that Facebook has today unveiled yet another new feature for its iOS app that is very similar to an existing service on another platform, in this case, GoFundMe. This follows on from yesterday’s launch of a Snapchat-style Stories feature.
The new feature is referred to as “personal fundraisers” by Snapchat, which it says “allow people to raise money for themselves, a friend or someone or something not on Facebook, for example a pet.”
The new feature will launch soon in the US for anyone over the age of 18, and will be in beta for the next few weeks so that Facebook can make sure that it is working correctly before giving it a full launch.
Facebook says that it will have “six specific categories for critical financial needs and include a 24-hour fundraiser review process. As we learn more, we hope to expand our categories and automate more of the review process.”
The initial six categories for critical financial needs are: Education, Medical, Pet Medical, Crisis Relief, Personal Emergency, and Funeral and Loss.
A user’s Friends will be able to donate to one of the categories without ever exiting Facebook. Facebook says that being able to see someone’s profile will help to assure the donor that the cause they are giving to is legitimate.
“Since you can see real profiles on Facebook, donors will see how they are connected to the person who created the fundraiser, the person benefitting and others who are supporting the fundraiser,” explained the company.
Sources: Facebook’s copycat spree continues with GoFundMe-style personal fundraising feature
More Ways to Support Causes | Facebook Newsroom