The Channel Wire

May 21, 2009

Much like a Boy Scout scout trying to score a merit badge, Facebook Thursday told developers that they will have to demonstrate that their apps are worthy of inclusion on the social networking site.

With more than 52,000 apps on the company's platform, it's fairly difficult to decipher the good from the silly from the downright awful.

So last year the company launched the Verified Applications program in which developers have to prove that they are providing "trustworthy user experiences." Thursday the company unveiled its inaugural set of 120 Verified Apps to site users.

The Verified Application program is falls under the umbrella of Facebook's new Application Directory, a directory of the most "reliable" social apps, according to the company. The directory includes applications for Facebook.com, as well as a Facebook Connect-enabled Web sites, mobile devices and desktop apps.

Trustworthy, verified apps on the directory will feature a green check mark indicating that they are "badged" in the Application Directory, and have passed through a "detailed" review by the company.

"Users of Verified Apps can feel confident that these applications strive to be transparent about how they work and respect social expectations between friends," said Monica Walsh, a platform developer operations specialist on a company blog.

Developers who want to get Facebook's stamp of approval have to pony up a $375 fee ($175 for students and non-profits), a policy that has caused controversy. The company said the charge is needed to cover some of the costs that are associated with its "detailed verification review," although it is not clear what the review entails.

"Due to the extent of our review, we are unable to verify every single application, so the fee gives developers who are interested in building a long-term business a way to participate," the company stated. "Given the flexibility we offer developers to monetize as they can across the Web at large, the fee is a relatively small investment in the context of the increased exposure to Facebook users and additional benefits."

Perhaps in an effort to mollify developers, Facebook said that it is increasing the visibility of Verified Apps. Facebook said they will be prioritized higher in the directory along with said green checkmark and a verified badge on the application's new Profile Page.