Inside Facebook reports that Facebook has added new metrics for app developers to track the spread of their application. The new "Application Adds by Facebook Referrer" displays how many application ads were a result of the app directory, the profile box, the news feed, the mini feed, Facebook search, or requests.
These stats will certainly be helpful for app developers to gauge the best way to market and promote their apps, and whether their marketing campaigns on Facebook ad networks like Social Media are worth their time and money. But just how most Facebook apps spread is likely to remain hazy until more data can be gathered from multiple app developers.
Justin Smith has data from a friend's application, which shows that the profile box is far and away the most popular channel for attracting new users to an application. Surprisingly, given the amount of press about how ingenious the news feed and mini feed are for spreading things virally, they do not factor nearly as much into the overall spread of this particular application. That said, Inside Facebook's example is a very small sample size for one (undisclosed) application. As Smith notes in his post, "the relative importance of viral channels will depend on your application."
The Zombies app probably benefits more from requests, for example, because of the way it encourages people to invite users, while the Where I've Been app probably gets many installs from the profile box, and the Movies app likely does well in the product directory as a result of its prominence there.
Would any app developers out there care to share some of their data? It would be great if Facebook would release data across the entire network in aggregate, but until that happens, if you want to share trends you've notice for your application. please do so in the comments.
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>>Surprisingly, given the amount of press about how ingenious the news feed and mini feed are for spreading things virally, they do not factor nearly as much into the overall spread of this particular application.
as you note, it's just one data point... "your mileage may vary".
however, until app messages are visible in the feed for non-app users, it's not surprising that the Feed isn't a driver for new user adoption as yet (altho it is likely a driver for existing user retention). i have a feeling that will change in the future if/when FB re-enables app messaging for non-users.
still, it's an important reminder that Profile Box is a very important acquisition channel. probably also depends a lot on visible real estate & position on the profile page.
anyway, awesome that FB is introducing this data & making it available to developers. hopefully it's also available via API for metrics tracking.
Posted by: dave mcclure | October 22, 2007 12:01 PM
Here's the stats for YouTube Video Box.
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?api_key=36b302b5876012e487665b4e7cf03760
Product Directory - 700
Profile Box Add Link - 425
Add Application News Feed Story - 130
Mini Feed Story - 19
Facebook Search - 250
Requests Page - 1
Will be interested in seeing how the requests page stats increase now that I've integrated it more tightly.
Posted by: Craig Bovis | October 22, 2007 12:31 PM
Facebook has not yet opened their News Feed and Mini-feed to the full capacity yet - when they do, I expect the News Feed would be an extremely viral medium of app spreading.
My app is showing low adds from the news feed - but surprisingly many from profile box and Facebook search.
Posted by: Steven Bao | October 22, 2007 7:57 PM
Some sent me this link, it is quite a useful little calculator for facebook developers. Has lots of sliders that can be tweaked and gives you the number of days your app will double in.
Posted by: John Springer | October 22, 2007 11:54 PM
Since Facebook developers deem it fit to torture us with these stupid Zombies, "Send a Friend a Chocolate" and "Pimp Your Profile" applications, I was very pleased when someone built Auto-Block Facebook Apps 1.1, a Greasemonkey script which automatically blocks any Facebook application anyone invites you to.
If it causes Facebook developers (or people funding them) to keel over in fear, then it's mission accomplished.
I really hate the vast majority of Facebook applications, and the way they try to get you to invite all your friends is almost as bad as viagra spam.
Posted by: Tom Morris | October 23, 2007 4:33 AM
This one's good
it's for professionals
it's basically a directory of professionals, and people you know can leave feedback and testimonials
http://apps.facebook.com/probookx/
Posted by: Chris | October 29, 2007 10:37 PM