Project Titan: FaceBook Email

There is much speculation this morning around Project Titan. Project Titan is the name behind an expected FaceBook Email Service. The Email Service will allow web users to create an email account which would read for example joe.blogs@facebook.com.

The social network has not officially released any information about the speculated email service, however there is a media event hosted by Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg today. It would not surprise me if the event has been setup to announce this new service.

The service can obviously be compared with Google’s Gmail Service.  If the project goes ahead it would seem logical comparison as both digital giants have seen major success on the internet and looked to expand with an email service. I would suggest there is deeper reason why FaceBook is intent to have an email service. The fact that data is king seems the main driving force behind this service. The internet giants feed on data, the more data they can acquire the greater the potential to profit from their service.

There is also another element which is worth noting, FaceBook has a massive amount of users personal data. They know key information such as your sex, location, education level, your social circle, your interest and events you attend. If they combine that information with the mail you are receiving through your inbox it will have two added benefits to the company. Firstly they become more integrated into user’s online activities avoiding the need for user to leave Facebook for other companies services and become a fully integrated online service. This would likely results in user’s spending more time on FaceBook, obvious positives.

Ultimately I predict if users adopt a FaceBook Email Service it will result in more personal data for FaceBook, users spending more screen time of FaceBook and finally greater opportunities for the social network giant to market to its users similar to how Google makes money from its PPC Advertising Service.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on Project Titan. Do you think FaceBook wishes to offer its user a greater service or do you feel the real reason is so FaceBook can make additional income from its user’s?