Facebook: Our Comments PlugIn Increases Publisher Traffic Up to 45%

About a month ago, Facebook released its commenting solution for third parties, which had been extremely feared. Between then and now, Facebook comments have made its way to more than 50,000 sites. Some of these sites included Vevo, Funny or Die, and the Los Angeles Times. Facebook, today, has announced a set of improved features for both users and publishers, as well as a bunch of statistics that say that the commenting system actually increases instead of decreasing discussion and Facebook referrals. The biggest change that this will cause for users is being able to login using Hotmail. Thoughts had come up about when users will see Google or Twitter as a login option, but there has been no mentioning of this by any Facebook spokes people. One spokesperson for Facebook did say, though, that they are always looking for new ways to improve their product, and they are hoping to add as many login options as possible.

Changes for publishers/bloggers include the ability to link directly to individual comments, generate larger News Feed objects, and access comments using the API. Generating larger News Feed objects shows that user interaction will dramatically increase. Facebook is saying that two sites have seen this increase after using Facebook Comments. Examiner.com says that they continue to see growth with the Facebook Comment plugin, and that they have noticed that comments have nearly doubled its weekly average since using the plugin starting on March 1.  They are also noticing more in-depth conversations and a dramatic increase in spam, as well. Examiner's referring instances have also doubled in the first month of using the plugin. The other site that has seen a difference is Townsquare Media, the local radio broadcaster. They have been using the Facebook plugin for six weeks now, and are noticing a 45% average increase in Facebook referrals. 

Although it has had its benefits, there are other sites that are saying it's having an opposite effect. Techcrunch is saying that they are noticing a dramatic decrease in the number of comments they are receiving, after implementing the Facebook Comments. It has decreased the number of trolls and amount of spam, but this is most likely due to the decrease in page views. People are complaining more about the fact that they now have to have a real identity to be able to even leave a comment or to voice their opinion on such sites. 

Clearly the one main benefit of using the Facebook Comments plugin is to decrease the amount of spam that is distributed throughout these sites. It seems to have allowed user to feel more safe putting their opinion out there, without being hit with spam or attacked. While this seems to be the positive end of the deal, others are just furious that now they have to identify themselves, while before...you didn't have to. Why does anyone need to know who you are? It only allows you to be labeled, especially if you're known. I agree with both ends of the deal, but I think that there has to be ways to satisfy both ends of the spectrum and allow users to both be satisfied and feel protected.

Article Name: Facebook: Our Comments PlugIn Increases Publisher Traffic Up to 45%

by Mike Melanson

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2011/04/12/12readwriteweb-facebook-our-comments-plugin-increases-publ-78785.html?ref=technology