Facebook Launching 'App Center'
Add Facebook to the list of big Internet and mobile players with their own app storefront. The social network Wednesday announced plans to launch an “App Center” in the coming weeks that will serve as a central hub for finding apps like Pinterest, Spotify, and Viddy as well as lesser-known titles that qualify for inclusion.
Through the App Center, Facebook will also allow developers for the first time to offer paid apps. “This is a simple-to-implement payment feature that lets people pay a flat fee to use an app on Facebook.com,” stated a post Wednesday on the Facebook Developer Blog. Previously, the company only allowed publishers to monetize apps through in-app purchases like virtual goods.
Whether an app is listed in the App Center will be determined through criteria including user ratings and engagement, with “well-designed apps people will enjoy” prominently displayed. To that end, Facebook issued a set of guidelines to help ensure app quality such as having an easy-to-use interface and a clear distinction between ads and content.
Each app will have its own detail page including common features like screenshots, a cover image, category, and a brief description of how it works. But Facebook noted that creating a detail page does not guarantee it will end up in the App Center. It will review app submissions, and if initially rejected, the company says it will explain why and provide suggestions on what to change before resubmitting.
The App Center will be accessible from Facebook.com as well as its companion mobile site and iOS and Android apps. From the mobile version of the App Cener, users can browse apps compatible with their device, and then be directed to Apple’s App Store or Google Play to download the app.
Facebook said it would give preference to apps submitted before May 18.
Recent Online Media Daily Articles
-
Digital, Alternative Media Revs Forecast To Hit $436B By 2017 June 19, 3:01 p.m.
Various types of mobile marketing and advertising accounted for nine of the top 10 fastest-growing digital ... -
Acquisitions Flourish, Google To Seek Equity Firm To Further Deals June 19, 1:24 p.m.
Google is considering alliances with private-equity firms to help structure acquisition deals, but the tech company ... -
Millennial Expands Video Ad Options June 19, 11:44 a.m.
Mobile ad network Millennial Media is stepping up its video ad offerings with the launch of ... -
CIMM Issues Request For Data, Cross-Platform Metrics June 19, 9:29 a.m.
The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) said it has issued a request for proposals involving ... -
Heads Or Tails: Facebook Grows A Long One, Surpasses 1 Million Advertisers June 19, 7:48 a.m.
Facebook has reached an important ad industry milestone, becoming one of the few mega platforms to ... -
Consumer Action: Most Web Users Want Control Over Tracking June 18, 8:20 p.m.
Most Web users have expectations about privacy that appear to be at odds with current practices ... -
Affiliate Channels Attract Global Buying, Tailored Marketing Programs June 18, 5:54 p.m.
The Internet continues to make the world smaller for affiliate marketers, but there are physical challenges ... -
Motorola Hires Digitas For Global Media Account June 18, 5:43 p.m.
Google-owned Motorola has appointed Publicis Groupe’s Digitas to handle global media duties, according to sources. Those ... -
Microsoft Rolls Out Ad Pano, Mobile Ad Format June 18, 3:03 p.m.
With the help of the broader ad industry, Microsoft this week is rolling out a mobile ... -
Kiip Debuts Self-Serve Option For Advertisers June 18, 2:23 p.m.
Mobile rewards network Kiip has added a self-serve option for advertisers aimed at attracting more small- and medium-sized ...
Be the first to comment on "Facebook Launching 'App Center'"
Leave a Comment