• Millions of Facebook users use Facebook Credits (10 credits for $1) to pay for virtual goods inside games like CityVille and FarmVille. It seems the logical next step is to use Facebook Credits to purchase digital and real-world goods. This is exactly what is beginning to transpire: we are seeing a robust Facebook Credit economy for virtual goods and an early stage Facebook Credit economy emerging for digital goods.
• Facebook Credits are the mandatory virtual currency used for games and in-app virtual goods on the Facebook platform. Facebook takes 30% on all Facebook Credit transactions within in-game applications. Facebook Credits can be purchased using a credit card, PayPal or a mobile phone. Credits are also available for Facebook for mobile.
• Warner Bros. became the first Hollywood studio to offer movies for purchase direct to consumers inside Facebook, The Dark Knight streamed inside Facebook and was available for 30 Facebook Credits ($3). This was the first time Facebook Credits were used for non-game digital goods inside the Facebook platform. Since then other studios such as Universal and gaming companies have started to use Facebook Credits for a variety of digital goods purchases.
• Facebook Credits are also being used as incentives for shoppers. Mobile applications such as ShopKick enable users to earn Facebook Credits for checking in at retail locations. Consumers can collect kickbucks for walking into participating retailers like Best Buy, Macy’s and American Eagle, and turn kickbucks into Facebook Credits. Another platform called IFeelGoods allows retailers to offer Facebook Credits to customers as incentives to purchase goods in their e-commerce stores.
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