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Ever since the Facebook API floodgates opened, there has been a barrage of applications being added to it daily. The total count - 3138 3182.

I guess if I can sell socks for a buck cheaper than a store, I should really have a facebook application for that. Now hold on! Don’t go coding away this one, I was only kidding. Just like the .com boom, quality is not really on the forefront. Applying the 80/20 rule, they are only a handful that stand out. Others, complete crap.

Some interesting Facebook app facts:

1.  Applications are currently being added @ about 50 per day (as against 250/week when I first wrote about the platform).

2.  The ‘Just for Fun’ category seems to have the most number of average users across applications. Even an application as ridiculous as Zombies has 2,734,394 users.

3.  Everyone is unhappy with their name and love to know their Chinese/Pimp/Stripper/Porno/Gangsta name. Yes, these are all Facebook apps - “What’s my <insert option> Name?” and they are all very popular.

4.  Where I’ve Been is the first application to be bought by a company. TripAdvisor grabbed it for $3mln. Maybe, that’s because their own version (Cities I’ve Visited) attracts roughly half the number of users (1.2 vs 2.5 million).

5.  Applications that I like:

• iLike - Let’s you add songs and videos to your profile. Their servers went down owing to a surge in users when the app was first launched. Current users - 6,522,795.
• Introductions - Allows you to expand your network through introductions. It’s viral, works well and easy to use. Only 12,504 current users.
• Marketplace - Facebook’s version of craigslist.

6.  Apps for the heck of apps:

• My Family - This one has got to be my absolute favorite peeve. Have you ever been on the freeway and seen a minivan with stick figures of the family on the rear windshield? You know, mom, dad, little Joey, and cute Sarah with the pigtails…and don’t forget Spotty. I cringe every time I see one of those (don’t ask me why, it’s just a thing). Well, My Family allows you to do the same thing on your facebook profile. Only 685 users. I can’t wait for the My Family email signatures!
• FoodFight - Over 2 million users like to throw food at each other. Hmmm, go figure.
• Zombies - Again, maybe the same 2 million people like to bite each other as well.

7.  And finally, this one deserves special mention - the Neighborhoods application allows you to view pictures of all your neighbors. Nice. Be sure to invite all the MySpace pedophiles.

Please feel free to share your Facebook App comments. Are you working on one? Do Tell.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 @ 9:34 am on the category Tech Churn. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.