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Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

developers.facebook.com

11–20 of 23 posts

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#11

It's nice to see Facebook has no qualms about shutting down some of these near-abusive practices.

While it is nice to see Facebook has no qualms about shutting down features, it is also problematic for people who build their businesses on a platform that is constantly shifting it's policies and features.

Those who live by the platform die by the platform. You get a lot of distribution using the platform, but you have to switch channels occasionally and monitor how well the channel is doing independently. In the meantime, keep growing that email list..

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#12

Does this block apps like Spotify from displaying songs you are listening too? I'm curious as to how strict they will be about this.

Those are 'custom opengraph' stories and not wallposting on a user's behalf -- this announcement is unrelated.

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#13
I think it is overall a good move by Facebook, but this change will negatively impact those apps that are using actually useful actions in a responsible way like "Want", "Review" etc. It's sad to see those apps being lumped in with the offenders.

[EDIT] - It looks like apps that use actions like "Want" etc. are actually going to be ok :) https://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/guidelines/

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#14
post #13

I think it is overall a good move by Facebook, but this change will negatively impact those apps that are using actually useful actions in a responsible way like "Want", "Review" etc. It's sad to see those apps being lumped in with the offenders. [EDIT] - It looks like apps that use actions like "Want" etc. are actually going to be ok :) https://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/guidelines/

Can you think of a way of structuring the system to differentiate the good guys from the bad guys?

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#15
post #13

I think it is overall a good move by Facebook, but this change will negatively impact those apps that are using actually useful actions in a responsible way like "Want", "Review" etc. It's sad to see those apps being lumped in with the offenders. [EDIT] - It looks like apps that use actions like "Want" etc. are actually going to be ok :) https://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/guidelines/

The guidelines specifically note that actions such as "want" which correlate to an actual activity are acceptable, provided the user is taking an action to trigger the story. The new policy is against passive custom actions triggered by reading content, etc.

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#17
post #5

Does this block apps like Spotify from displaying songs you are listening too? I'm curious as to how strict they will be about this.

That seems to be specifically allowed. Apps that help people automatically share stories about content as they consume it, such as the music you are listening to, can be good experiences when apps create clear expectations for the user of what is being shared and when.

how convenient ;)

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#18
post #15
post #13

I think it is overall a good move by Facebook, but this change will negatively impact those apps that are using actually useful actions in a responsible way like "Want", "Review" etc. It's sad to see those apps being lumped in with the offenders. [EDIT] - It looks like apps that use actions like "Want" etc. are actually going to be ok :) https://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/guidelines/

The guidelines specifically note that actions such as "want" which correlate to an actual activity are acceptable, provided the user is taking an action to trigger the story. The new policy is against passive custom actions triggered by reading content, etc.

This line may hold what you are referring to: "custom actions that automatically publish back to Facebook as a person consumes content"

What isn't clear to me is what it means to "automatically publish" to Facebook.

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#19
Hold the phone. This policy change is only so apps can't auto-publish to your friends' timelines. It doesn't say anything about auto-publishing to your timeline, which I imagine is still allowed.

An incremental improvement at best.. but still an improvement.

Re: Facebook changes Open Graph guidelines to stop applications auto-posting

#20
post #19

Hold the phone. This policy change is only so apps can't auto-publish to your friends' timelines. It doesn't say anything about auto-publishing to your timeline, which I imagine is still allowed. An incremental improvement at best.. but still an improvement.

It is my understanding that apps can no longer publish automatically at all ;

"In order to provide users with experiences that meet their expectations, we will no longer approve custom actions that publish stories as people consume content. These apps must use the appropriate built-in actions or create a different sharing experience."

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