As if the Newspaper publishers did not already have enough challenges to their business model, Service via Publication in the back of a newspaper is loosing its appeal.  It would seem that it is being replaced by Service via Facebook, email and other electronic methods.   Those that follow the Process Serving industry know that service via publication in a newspaper is typically ordered by a court when all other methods of service have failed or have otherwise been exhausted.  Facebook seems to be the new preferred method of service when all other forms of service have failed. 
This from the Independent Online News in South Africa (IOLnews)

Are Process Servers Embracing Change? Are they Confronting Challenges?: Facebook Service of Process Approved in S. Africa

"Advantages and Limitations of E-mail Service of Process

Despite the significant push for allowing e-mail service of process amongst scholars and practitioners, scholars have extensively dis-cussed the advantages and disadvantages arising from e-mail service of process. Some scholars argue that the advantages of e-mail service of process outweigh the disadvantages. These scholars appeal to the extensive use of e-mail by individuals both domestically and abroad. Moreover, serving process via e-mail is efficient as it costs little, if any-thing, to send and results in almost instantaneous receipt. Further, at least one commentator has argued that service of process through e-mail is more likely to apprise the defendant of the proceedings be-cause it is not subject to movement but rather remains in the defendant’s inbox until it is opened."

Are Process Servers Embracing Change? Are they Confronting Challenges?: Service of Process via Text Messaging… Constitutional?