Facebook is working to launch a service tool that connects gig workers (delivery people and drivers registered with technology companies) with users looking for home repairs or freelance work, according to the website. The Information. The idea is to compete with TaskRabbit and similar services. TaskRabbit is a popular app in the United States where you can hire professionals to assemble furniture or install shelves at home, among other services.
The new service tool would work on the Marketplace, a section dedicated to buying and selling on Facebook. The feature, launched in 2016 by the American company, already has 800 million users. Also according to the information, Facebook may monetize the service tool with transaction fees or targeting ads based on user behavior. Company spokesperson Lisa Revelli confirmed that Mark Zuckerberg's company has been exploring the possibility of entering the “gig economy” industry.
Facebook recently expanded its e-commerce platform on Instagram. Influencers can now sell products through their profiles. In October, Facebook announced that creators and brands can link their products to Reels, a short-form video tool designed to rival TikTok. Analysts expect Instagram surpass the 1 billion global user mark by the end of 2020.
The “gig economy” dilemma
Facebook’s foray into the “gig economy” continues a recent decision in California that drivers for apps like Uber and Lyft not be considered equivalent to “employees.” The law, defined in a statewide referendum, prohibits workers from having access to basic rights like minimum wage and corporate health insurance. Uber saw the law as a major victory.
During the pandemic, many Americans have turned to the gig economy as the economy has slowed. Upwork, a platform that connects freelancers with formal jobs, has found a 24% increase in the number of people looking for gig jobs compared to previous years.
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Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. The Information e Business Insider
