Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Facebook Apps Looking to Add Approvals
Apps, apps, apps. Everyone’s talking about them. Everyone wants one. And now, pretty much every platform has some version of what they call an “app.” Facebook has been on the App train almost as long as anyone, and they’ve always done a pretty great job of managing the balancing act between controlling the content in their otherwise very controlled atmosphere and allowing app developers free reign to create experiences with very little red tape. About a year ago, Facebook implemented an App Verification process, similar to the ever so un-popular process developers are run through for iPhone development, but with a caveat, the process was ONLY for developers who wished to gain Facebook ‘approval’ and earn some incentives like additional plugs on the Facebook Apps page and unrestricted app messaging. For those of us uninterested in seeking the approvals of daddy, I mean, Facebook, nothing changed and we went on about our merry way.
SO, just the other day, Facebook announced they would be ENDING their “verified apps” program after little over six months. So, what, right? Well, not really. What they MEAN is they’re ending the special program and rethinking the entire process in an effort to apply app verification to EVERY app moving forward. This stems from a rash of semi-malicios apps that’ve hit the streets of Facebook recently, however, as the old adage goes, a few bad apples shouldn’t ruin the whole bunch. Has Facebook been living under a rock the last year and a half? Have they NOT been aware of the extreme backlash and brand damage that has come from Apple’s approval process? I don’t think anyone will disagree that bad apps are bad for everyone. They make the platform look bad, as most users don’t distinguish the app developer from the app platform, they also can make the entire platform experience quite frustrating if they do perform some semi-malicious functions after you unknowingly allow access to your entire friends list. HOWEVER, no one has ever successfully managed the implement any sort of approval process and had long term positive results. The online community is a bit of the ‘wild west’ and the free market concept has truly proven to foster some staggering innovation across many, many platforms and media types. If the major players start playing gatekeeper to what is an isn’t allowed, then we begin to stifle that innovation. Its the same argument that’s been going on for YEARS, even back to the early days of software publishers and distribution houses. Yes, there needs to be a watchful eye for the bad apples, but don’t bottle neck the rest of the flow as a result. It will never lead to the happy ending we’re after, it will only lead to frustrated developers, confused users and ultimately a decline in your brand image.
Ok, ok. Enough out of me. If you want a little more insight on the Facebook App deal, head over to TechCrunch: http://svns.in/k
