Facebook testing VIP app to help celebrities sort through fanmail

Andy Murray

Andy Murray's official Facebook page




Facebook is working on a 'VIP' app for its famous users in order to make it easier them to wade through the swarms of notifications they receive from those who've 'liked' their official page.


According to AllThingsD the project is in its early stages, but will eventually give the site's more famous users an easier way to join in the conversation relating to comments left on wall posts, photos, status updates and more.


“We are currently testing some mobile features designed to help public figures interact with their fans,” a Facebook spokesperson told the site. “We are testing these features with a small group of partners and will share more details should we roll it out more widely.”


Facebook is actively courting celebrities to share more content on their Facebook pages rather than through Twitter or their official blogs or websites.


Most notably, the social network convinced Hollywood star Channing Tatum and his wife (probably with a number followed by a few zeros) to post the first picture of their baby on Facebook rather than sell it to OK magazine or some other ghastly magazine.


The recent addition of hashtags and embedded posts, the latter of which only applies to Facebook's partners - celebrities, publishers, brands, etc. - have all been geared towards improving its engagement with famous users.


Traditionally the stars have used Twitter as a primary means of sharing their thoughts and interacting with users, something that Facebook would love to replicate as it seeks to be the only site members need to visit in order to catch up with friends, family, news and persons of interest.