360DigitalInfluence

If I’m reading the signs correctly Facebook is preparing an major applications push, trying to make them more attractive to developers with monetization and promotion: will it work?

Facts:

• Facebook is preparing to push applications more social, showing you which applications your friends are using to try and increase the uptake of new applications. This will not be opt in.
• The Applications menu now hastabs: On Facebook, External Websites, Desktop, Mobile, Protoypes
• Facebook will now let applications email you, that is a huge opportunity for brands for a new generation of newsletters or a new step in converting fans to customers.
• In the applications can email you announcement, Facebook specifically mentioned receipts for purchases you make as an example of what applications would be emailing you.

Last time we mentioned monetization it was all about virtual gifts but the Facebook team hasn’t talked about monetization since they released their Terms of Payment last March although they did quietly re-launch the Marketplace as an application late last year. I checked out my Marketplace today and not one of my friends or network members has posted anything for sale, even in all of Washington DC (+35 mile radius) there were less than 800 items for sale but there were almost 20,000 apartment or roommate listings.

What are some possibilities here? Facebook Marketplace is attractive: it’s like Craigslist but there is a less of a likelihood I will get scammed or kidnapped if the transaction is with a friend or a friends’ friend or even a friends’ friends’ friend. I can also see how a brand application could be an attractive online retail experience: scan your photos for style or body type, suggest a personal shopping list for you, click to purchase your winter wardrobe.

I am less sure that people would start paying for actual applications on Facebook, but with the options to see mobile, desktop, and external website applications suddenly available that could change.

Please share experiences or predictions here- see you next Friday!

Briefly noted: The Oatmeal posted a hilarious comic strip poking fun at some common Facebook offenders- check it out here.

Thanks to Sam Ilic (flickr: Stage 88) for the awesome photo- I think it embodies the TGIF dream.