Facebook Cookbook

The Great Apps Program

Problem

My app is a really outstanding example of building on Facebook Platform and I’d like to see it celebrated by Facebook.

Solution

Apply to the Facebook Great Apps Program! You can learn more at http://developers.facebook.com/greatapps.php.

Discussion

Facebook, recognizing the need to celebrate truly great applications, launched the Great Apps Program at the f8 conference in July 2008. If your app does an exceptional job of meeting Facebook’s 10 Guiding Principles (http://developers.facebook.com/get_started.php?tab=principles), has a minimum user base, and has a consistent record of complying with Platform policies, you stand a chance of being accepted, although it’s worth noting that they expect to add only 10–15 apps over the first year.

As a Great App, you’ll enjoy:

Increased visibility

Your app will get promoted at the same level as Facebook’s own apps, including the weight and visibility given to your News Feed items.

Early access to features

Great Apps will be given sneak peaks at new stuff and will be able to help test these features before the general masses.

Support from Facebook

The Facebook team has committed to working closely with the developers of Great Apps, providing them with feedback and better usage data to help improve their user experience.

The program launched with two Great Apps in place: iLike and Causes. It’s too early to really provide any guidance about how to shape your app to get accepted, other than to say that it’s worth reviewing what ...