Identifying service providers for electronically received service requests and using stored account data to connect the requester with providers

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating the locating and hiring of service providers is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to create service request. When the social networking server computer receives a service request for a particular type of service provider, the social networking server computer identifies service providers of the particular type and sends the service request to the service providers. In response to receiving an indication that a particular service provider is available to fulfill a service request, the social networking server computer sends a message to the service requester that identifies the particular service provider and indicates that the service provider is available to fulfill the service request. In response to receiving an indication from the service requester that the service requester wishes to hire the service provider, the social networking server computer sends a message to the service provider indicating that the service provider has been hired to fulfill the service request.