The idea that Facebook is going to implement a pay-structure and begin charging current members for use of the service is a bit of misinformation that has been going around for years.

The rumors have spread in various ways across the network: Maybe you’ve seen the group “If 1 million people join before “whatever/whatever,” then Facebook remains free.” Or possibly “If this page gets 30,000 likes, you won’t have to pay to use Facebook.” These falsities have spread like wildfire over the course of the last few years.

One particular hoax message popped up over the weekend and is making its way around the community. Many of you might have seen one of your friends post the following message, or something quite similar –

FACEBOOK JUST RELEASED THEIR PRICE GRID FOR MEMBERSHIP. $9.99 PER MONTH FOR GOLD MEMBER SERVICES, $6.99 PER MONTH FOR SILVER MEMBER SERVICES, $3.99 PER MONTH FOR BRONZE MEMBER SERVICES, FREE IF YOU COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. WHEN YOU SIGN ON TOMORROW MORNING YOU WILL BE PROMPTED FOR PAYMENT INFO…IT IS OFFICIAL IT WAS EVEN ON THE NEWS. FACEBOOK WILL START CHARGING DUE TO THE NEW PROFILE CHANGES. IF YOU COPY THIS ON YOUR WALL YOUR ICON WILL TURN BLUE AND FACEBOOK WILL BE FREE FOR YOU. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON IF NOT YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED IF YOU DO NOT PAY

And yes, the message is in all caps – that’s how you know it’s for real. Plus, the news said it, so…

The reason that this chain letter style hoax status is spreading so rapidly is probably due to all of Facebook’s implemented and announced changes. When Facebook starts messing with stuff, gullibility rises.

The bottom line is that Facebook isn’t going to start charging you tomorrow, and they aren’t going to in the future either. Facebook execs have been getting this point out there for years. Plus, there’s this whole thing, right when you sign in –

Plus, Facebook’s whole business model revolves around bringing in as many users as possible and then making money through advertising.

Facebook isn’t implementing a pricing plan. So please let your friends know this. My “top stories” part of my new News feed can’t handle all the caps.