One of the big social news stories this evening was Facebook's announcement that it is actively working on a redesign to user profiles that would break the profile page down into three, main tabbed components. A "Wall" tab that would mash up the current mini-feed and message wall, an "About" tab that includes bio information, and a "Photos" tab, which is pretty self explanatory. Notably absent from the mix is a prominent place for applications.]]>
Applications will still have space on the profile page in the right hand side bar, but obviously that space is limited. They'll also have exposure on the Wall tab, which will mash in content from the mini-feed, which can receive updates from applications. According to a note posted by Facebook on a previews page the company has set up to allow people to give feedback during the design process, users will also be able to add "additional tabs where you can feature your favorite applications." (Because "Photos" is actually an application, that tab as seen in the screenshot provided by Facebook [below] might actually be optional and a demonstration of an app tab.)
What does more restricted space for applications means? Facebook hopes that it translates to better apps. In a blog post last Friday alerting developers of the upcoming changes, Facebook encouraged "application developers to focus on building applications that facilitate communication, generate meaningful activity, and increase users' trust," noting that any applications that "don't provide value and meaning for users" would face "challenges" under the new profile layout.
We noted last month that Facebook applications may have peaked in popularity and that a lot of people are beginning to feel "app fatigue." We suggested then that the solution for developers to overcome app fatigue, and to overcome stricter rules being imposed by Facebook about how applications can be spread via invites was simple: make better applications.
Facebook's looming profile design changes seem to be aimed squarely at the large number of apps that have been developed for its platform that don't add much utility. Once upon a time, people flocked to Facebook in large part because it had a cleaner design than rival social networks. But the launch of the Platform last May started Facebook down the road toward cluttered profiles like this one. Clearly, the social network is attempting to push people toward trimming down their use of applications that provide little utility, and rather focusing on applications that offer "meaningful activity," as they phrase it.
This is a long term strategy for Facebook. In the near term, getting people to stop using silly apps (or at least place less emphasis on them and use them less) means fewer page views and less ad inventory. But in the long term, getting developers to create more apps that have real utility for people, will get more people to rely on Facebook for more of their daily activity -- which furthers the goal of building the Facebook platform into a web operating system.
It is, however, important to take these changes with a grain of salt. What Facebook is showing off now is early in the design process and is not set to drop until Spring, so changes are certainly possible. The social network is inviting users to participate in the design process by giving feedback on iterations of the new profile design.
What do you think of Facebook's planned tabbed profiles? Will it result in better apps? Will diminish the clutter that has begun to take hold of many Facebook profiles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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