On Facebook, most people make friends the old-fashioned way -- by sending a request to be added to someone's posse of pals. Now, an Australian marketing company hopes to save you time by buying you a few thousand buddies.
The service from uSocial is mostly meant for businesses, celebrities and other individuals looking to expand on the social network, and Facebook isn't happy.
Under the service, which launched this week, adding 1,000 new Facebook friends costs less than $200. For 5,000 Facebook friends -- the maximum allowed by that site -- uSocial charges $727, though through mid-September, the promotional rate is $654.30.
The service can also help companies accumulate fans -- Facebook-speak for the users who acknowledge liking a person, business or idea on the site.
Leon Hill, the 24-year-old founder of Brisbane, Australia-based uSocial, said businesses and other clients are essentially buying a base of potential customers. USocial logs into a client's Facebook profile or creates a new one. It seeks out people who would be a good fit -- like car buffs if uSocial is trying to promote an auto-parts company -- and sends them friends requests tailored to that business. The requests don't mention that uSocial is working on behalf of the business.
Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt said that giving others access to your Facebook account goes against the site's policies, as it makes Facebook less secure and detracts from the site's culture of authenticity.
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