On Saturday I broke news of a few specific XFBML tags Facebook will be releasing as part of its OpenGraph API, as revealed by their open source Javascript Client libraries. I held back one announcement that I think is almost just as interesting as their Insights for websites, or the SocialBar, which will provide Meebo-like functionality for Facebook on any website (I think it’s no coincidence Meebo, Google, and Yahoo announced XAuth shortly after I wrote that post). Facebook, in conjunction with F8, is getting ready to launch “fb:recommendations”, a tag which enables users to provide recommendations to other Facebook users on any OpenGraph-enabled website.
Currently in Facebook’s open source Javascript client libraries, the tag can be placed on any website, and, according to the check in for the code on Github, something like this:
“should be replaced by an iframe showing recommendations for the abc website.” Rendering the code currently just displays an iframe with the Facebook.com website in the frame. I am assuming when they turn it on to the world that will render something completely different.
If my theories (and a few sources close to Facebook) are correct, Facebook will soon be releasing the ability for any Facebook user to provide recommendations and advice on any website that integrates the recommendations widget. Think Google Sidewiki, but at the discretion of each website. The functionality I am guessing will work similar to that of Foursquare’s “Tips” feature.
What makes this feature even more interesting is what this could bring if some of the rumors of GeoLocation being launched are true. Is this just a sidewiki feature, or could Facebook be getting ready to launch a Geolocation feature, enabling “Recommendations” that go beyond just websites into real-life locations and places?
Be sure to read more about FBML, including a very beginner lesson on XFBML, in my book, FBML Essentials.
