• December 24, 2008

Facebook has begun allowing members to send application invites to friends who are not already using the social network. The move is aimed at boosting both the growth of Facebook apps and its user base.

The new "multi-friend selector" allows members to type in an email address to send someone an invite to Facebook as well as the app. After opening the email, the recipient is sent to an express registration page to sign up for Facebook and the app. After joining, the app will be automatically bookmarked and promoted on the new user's home page.

Inside Facebook's Justin Smith suggested the new feature should help Facebook capitalize on applications to reach demographic niches it hasn't yet reached. With 50,000 apps and 140 million active users, the numbers could add up quickly.--Mark Walsh