Interview with Facebook Senior Platform Manager

Filed under: Business, Developer, Internet, Features, Social Software, DLS Interviews

Dave Morin, Senior Platform Manager at Facebook, takes a moment out of his busy day to answers our questions regarding apps, the developer platform, and why everyone should be excited about the future of Facebook.

DS: Can you briefly describe the Facebook Platform?

Dave: Facebook Platform is a development system that enables companies and developers to build applications for the Facebook website, where all of Facebook's nearly 29 million active users can interact with them. Facebook Platform offers deep integration into the Facebook website, distribution through the social graph and an opportunity to build a business.

DS: Why should average Facebook users be excited about Facebook apps and the Facebook Platform?

Dave: With Facebook Platform, users gain the ability to define their experience on Facebook by choosing applications that are useful and relevant to them. Now that they have access to a virtually limitless set of applications from outside developers, users have an unprecedented amount of choice. They can share information and communicate with their trusted connections in ways that would never have been possible before Facebook opened its platform.

DS: How quickly has the Facebook community adopted these new apps?

Dave: Since Facebook Platform launched on May 24, 2007, Facebook has grown from 24 million users to over 28 million users. Over 50% of our users have added at least one application.

DS: In what ways can an application spread through Facebook?

Dave: The main way that applications would spread on Facebook is virally. For instance, if users adds an application to their Facebook account, it could display on their Mini-Feed, generate a story in News Feed, or their friend could see it simply by viewing their profile pages. Users can also reference the Applications Directory to browse applications of interest. Developers are also permitted to purchase sponsored stories about their application which will then show up on News Feed.

DS: What type of applications have been successful so far?

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Interview with Facebook Senior Platform Manager originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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