360DigitalInfluence

12 Responses to “Facebook Apps - what have you done for me lately?”

1. Martin Ringlein Says:
   December 18th, 2007 at 4:30 pm

   What constitute a Facebook app being “worthless”? Worthless to you perhaps, but the thousands of users finding value in it would probably disagree with you. Just because you or your constituents don’t happen to be the core demographic for an app doesn’t mean it is generally “wrothless” — it just means it has no value to you specifically.

   “Users are running Facebook” and the apps are flooding the space but only at a rate directly correlated to their use — simple supply and demand. The apps may have no monetary value, but I wouldn’t say they are worthless. If a Facebook app falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a noise? You just need that one person for its existence to be noticed and warranted.

   There are probably more useless blog posts in the world than Facebook apps. Just my two cents on the market. Facebook might not be for you — you might not be the demo.

2. Qui Diaz Says:
   December 18th, 2007 at 4:44 pm

   Martin, thanks for your comment. I don’t disagree - one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

   “Worthless” implies a lack of value. Clearly, as you stated, there are a wealth of warm bodies who see more than enough value in all stripes and colors of Facebook apps. Some folks don’t need apps to be meaningful or impactful.

   “Meaningless,” then, is what I think Evan’s group is getting at. Fluff. No point. Empty.

   By the by, I definitely fit the Facebook demo. But because I often use my profile for professional networking, I tend toward more functional apps. The fact that I did not join Evan’s group - and the fact that I am a member of the Fraggle Rock Facebook group - are testaments to my own affinity for “Free Skate.”

3. Jason Peck Says:
   December 19th, 2007 at 10:15 am

   I really don’t think this is going to stop anytime soon or that it is really worth joining a group about it. This is like saying that meaningless websites or blogs are ruining the internet.

   Unless it becomes “cool” not to use these types of apps or there’s some type of incentive not to use them, they will continue to be popular. Or, as a reversal, if there’s an incentive for developers to stop making these types. As of now, Apps are a cheap/easy way to get tons of eyeballs (and for some people, they’re fun), so unless FB implements a system that determines what the definition of meaningless is we’re going to still see Vampires, and other pointless apps.

   Martin makes a good point about supply and demand…there’s only so many Apps one can use…

   Personally I don’t use any apps–and I’ve been on FB since its relative beginnings. There’s just no App right now that I can’t live without. But that’s just me.

4. Laura Halsch Says:
   December 19th, 2007 at 2:40 pm

   With so many apps out there, it becomes harder and harder to create one that will have the ability to truly impact people. There are tons of apps now that basically do the same thing (think of all the “places I’ve been” maps). As our clients want to get involved in this space, how do we ensure that we are creating something that can elevate above this noise?

5. Brian Giesen Says:
   December 19th, 2007 at 2:54 pm

   I’m actually more in Martin’s camp - sorry Qui! Variety is a good thing. I think the same rules apply to Facebook apps that apply to blogs, Web sites, and online content in general. That which is truly remarkable or provides value will rise to the surface.

6. Rohit Says:
   December 19th, 2007 at 4:05 pm

   I actually don’t mind having lots of apps available either. Firefox has lots of plugins available, if you choose to install them, but you can just as easily leave them all alone. The greater problem I have with many apps is that they present a barrier to doing something. In order to find out what celebrity someone thinks I resemble, I have to install the app. In order to vote for a friend for #1 Canadian Woman, I have to get that app. These are apps that I don’t care to use more than once, and installing them into my profile just for this one time use seems like overkill.

7. Jesse Thomas Says:
   December 22nd, 2007 at 8:31 am

   Qui, Facebook has come so far in the last year.. remember when we were comparing it to myspace for that smackdown?

   facebook has made it too easy to send it to your entire contact list.. that’s the annoying part, the apps don’t kill people, people kill people.

   has OPR done any facebook apps yet?

   wallstrip posted a great video about facebook the other day, http://www.wallstrip.com/2007/12/17/12-17-07-facebook/

8. Qui Diaz Says:
   December 29th, 2007 at 1:27 pm

   I’m disappointed that folks seem to think I’m criticizing the use of apps and/or Facebook apps in general. My point is that I personally am drawn to apps that serve a purpose beyond entertainment (although I think we all agree that the tools which entertain are those that also stick - per Brian’s comment). To each his/her own.

   @Laura - Great question. While not all apps have “jobs,” I think the ones that help move the dial towards a goal (traffic to a Web site, “buzz,” impressions, etc.) are rad. I’ve been looking into this as a viable catalyst for conversion for a client, and although we might pass this time, it could work for any number of efforts down the road.

   @Jesse - When I first joined fb, I spammed my entire email contact list. Former bosses, execs I had interviewed with, ex-loves, etc. I chalk that up to some creative trickery on that app’s builder. Maybe a little of my own error, too ;o)

9. Martin Ringlein Says:
   December 30th, 2007 at 1:09 am

   I was really gravitating towards your specific comment, “The point is that there are too many meaningless applications on Facebook.” — While you were providing a summary of the video, it appears as though you agree with the sentiment.

   Facebook isn’t a site built for you — it is many things to many people. You will love some of what it has to offer and find other attributes “meaningless”. The important factor is that it is meaningless to you; not the world, not to the Facebook community and not to the web, marketing, PR or other specific industry niches.

   There is value to be found in the long-tail, it seems as though there is almost a long-tail for anything and Facebook apps are no exception. The value is the fact that there are so many apps out there that everyone can find something for them.

10. Joel Jackson Says:
    January 7th, 2008 at 7:00 am

    Personally, I have used very few applications on Facebook, and when the time for their use is up, I remove them. When ‘My Christmas Tree’ was available, being the holiday-loving spirit, I added the application.

    I picked out a Christmas tree, a Christmas song, and I could give gifts to my friends for free (I didn’t have to add so many people to get money). Gifts were added every day to the store. I enjoyed taking my time to choose a gift that I thought fit my friend’s personality and liking.

    But when it came time for me to receive the gifts on Christmas day, my expectations were shot down one bad gift at a time. One person sent me three presents — hugs. Another sent me a Penguin that poops. Out of an iPod Touch or Bentley Continental T, I got those things?

    I’m not trying to say that my friend’s pick bad gifts but that the online experience does not have the same emotional connection as it would in-person. If I had received a not-so-great gift, I’m still thankful for my friend’s thoughts and friendship. Even if it was just a card with a nice note. The more personal, the better.

    Maybe there’s a disconnect because the gifts have no monetary value. Maybe I’m just being selfish. Applications that continue to add junk are exactly that. A friend of mine commented on how ridiculous it is the number of applications people have. She goes to their Wall to comment, but if she has to scroll forever (because of the App clutter), she closes out and doesn’t visit their page anymore.

    We need to be selective, and if it were possible, Facebook should filter the Application content and quality for its users. After opening it up to everyone and adding Beacon, it’s the least they can do.

    Cheers,
    Joel

11. Sarah Zhang Says:
    January 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am

    For me, the facebook is just something for fun,or say is just a tool for me to find my old friends in the other side of the world. And i don’t think there will be so many people who care so much about those tiny requires. Sometimes it is just not that easy to talk to those not close related friends, and those things are some kind of good tools to help you ~

12. black celebs Says:
    August 10th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Sign: wdpad Hello!!! yqdqg and 9424tdvexwmapq and 2569 : Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post! nice! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that Ive really enjoyed it.