Facebook said Tuesday that it will open its own app store over the next few weeks, with an eye toward pushing users to social apps that use Facebook as a login mechanism.
Developers will also either benefit from or be penalized by a new app rating metric that Facebook will use to determine which apps are actually listed. If an app's user engaagement or rating is high enough, it will be "prominently displayed". Apps that don't follow the Facebook quality guidelines or or receive poor ratings will be delisted, a practice sure to cause consternation and controversy among app developers.
"In the coming weeks, people will be able to access the App Center on the web and in the iOS and Android Facebook apps," Facebook's Aaron Brady wrote in a blog post on the Facebook developer blog. "All canvas, mobile and web apps that follow the guidelines can be listed. All developers should start preparing today to make sure their app is included for the launch."
Specifically, apps designed for the Facebook "canvas" or Timeline are eligible, as well as mobile apps that either use the Web itself, or Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating system. Apps can also be written for Facebook Pages. Finally, apps written for Web sites that automatically log a user in - and then subtly notify him or her, such as displaying the user's picture - are eligible.
However, Facebook made it clear that it expects high-quality apps. The app guidelines include using clear and descriptive names and icons, with visually compelling banners and screenshots. Moreover, the apps must lack "significant bugs," and show a clear distinction between ads and content. They also can't mimic the Facebook UI in a way that's misleading.
If the apps meet these criteria, they might be approved. Examples of great apps include Draw Something, Pinterest, Spotify, Battle Pirates, Viddy, and Bubble Witch Saga, Brady wrote.
"Keep in mind that creating an app detail page doesn't guarantee you'll be listed in the App Center, and we reserve the right to remove apps from App Center that don't meet a high quality bar," Brady wrote.
"If your app is initially rejected, we'll explain why and give you suggestions for what to change," he added. "Once you make the changes we suggest, you can resubmit your app to be listed in App Center."
Rejected apps can still be found via search or referrals, Facebook said.
"Most us have been Facebook developers ourselves at one point in the past, so we are excited to promote and distribute great apps, and to help you succeed," Brady said.
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