Just over four months ago the platform launched. Later today, the total number of applications on the platform will surpass 5,000. As of right now, the number sits at 4,999. One question that many have been asking is whether or not a useful Facebook application will ever reside on Facebook. While I think there will be useful applications, I don’t see enterprises deciding to leverage Facebook applications anytime soon. Yes, even I, a self proclaimed Facebook evangelist, do not think there will be enterprise Facebook applications.
Currently, there are no enterprise applications and I have a feeling large companies are going to hold off on integrating with any social platforms. Instead they are going to use the new social layer that Google plans on releasing or whomever decides to compete with Google for what I have been calling the “social backbone.” This is not to say that the Facebook application market is not growing. Approximately 5 weeks ago (the 3-month anniversary of the platform), there were around 3,270 applications. Since then it has grown by approximately 53 percent.
With all the buzz about Facebook being a fad there is definite growth in the market, but as I previously mentioned, that may change once Facebook has some competition. Whatever the future may hold, Facebook applications are still a big thing. The only question is how long they will remain big. Do you foresee a downturn in Facebook application development?
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Hey Nick,It's early days yet and I think we're going to see an acceleration of new apps as more developers test the waters and established developers get into their 2nd and 3rd apps. This next iteration of apps is going to be more efficient and likely more profitable.Down the road (6 months, a year?) I foresee a wave of consolidation as the cost of developing a (good) app that stands out of the crowd becomes more and more expensive (and likewise, the rewards become bigger and bigger).The investment in our first app, Up4, was quite large compared to most apps currently on the market, mostly because we spent a long time working on providing real utility for users rather than creating yet another pyramid marketing-schemey app. However, it was still a fairly low investment. Fast forward a year from now that will likely change as the landscape will be much more competitive.Love the blog, keep it up!Cheers,Sebastian
Comment by Sebastian — October 3, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Hey Nick,
It's early days yet and I think we're going to see an acceleration of new apps as more developers test the waters and established developers get into their 2nd and 3rd apps. This next iteration of apps is going to be more efficient and likely more profitable.
Down the road (6 months, a year?) I foresee a wave of consolidation as the cost of developing a (good) app that stands out of the crowd becomes more and more expensive (and likewise, the rewards become bigger and bigger).
The investment in our first app, Up4, was quite large compared to most apps currently on the market, mostly because we spent a long time working on providing real utility for users rather than creating yet another pyramid marketing-schemey app. However, it was still a fairly low investment. Fast forward a year from now that will likely change as the landscape will be much more competitive.
Love the blog, keep it up!
Cheers,
Sebastian
Comment by Sebastian — October 3, 2007 @ 8:20 am
I think there will still be plenty of applications developed for Facebook if only because the barriers to entry are low. That said, only a very small handful will actually resonate with Facebook users.
Comment by Mark Evans — October 3, 2007 @ 10:00 am
I think there will still be plenty of applications developed for Facebook if only because the barriers to entry are low. That said, only a very small handful will actually resonate with Facebook users.
Comment by Mark Evans — October 3, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
I think each and every Facebook app that has been developed, or will be developed, is worth $10M (or more) each. And they will only increase in value.I'm sorry, I thought I was Lee Lorenzen for a minute!
Comment by Mark — October 3, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
I think each and every Facebook app that has been developed, or will be developed, is worth $10M (or more) each. And they will only increase in value.
I'm sorry, I thought I was Lee Lorenzen for a minute!
Comment by Mark — October 3, 2007 @ 10:30 pm