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July 15, 2009 2:30 PM PDT

Facebook calls for payment platform testers

by Caroline McCarthy

Facebook posted a set of small announcements on its developer blog Wednesday, most notably a call for alpha testers for the virtual currency platform that it's finally launching after much speculation.

"We are currently conducting an alpha test in which select applications can accept Facebook Credits from users," the post wrote. "Our 250 million users can now buy Facebook Credits in 15 currencies and we believe that, as Facebook Credits become more broadly available on Platform, they will meaningfully improve developer monetization and provide a great experience for users."

Interested developers are encouraged to contact Facebook.

Facebook has also announced that developers who want to advertise the applications they have built to run on its platform, which it originally launched over two years ago, now have a new option. They can opt to target their ad to users who are (or aren't) connected to one of their applications already: to encourage existing users to try a new app from the same developer, for example, or to court totally new users.

New options for Facebook developers' ad targeting.

(Credit: Facebook)

Huge businesses have already been built atop the developer platform: in fact, some reliable assessments have concluded that, at least for now, the apps on the platform combined make more money than Facebook itself.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register)
by enoch861 July 15, 2009 2:57 PM PDT
So this is going to evolve into people paying just to use Facebook? No thanks, I'll pass.
Reply to this comment
by Alpe1981 July 16, 2009 4:13 AM PDT
Hi Guys,
You can read more about this interesting article here
http://mms.tc/Facebook
Reply to this comment
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About The Social

CNET News' Caroline McCarthy is a downtown Manhattanite who believes that, despite popular opinion, the Web can actually help your social life. She's happily addicted to fun social-media tools from Twitter to Yelp to Facebook, sends an inordinate number of text messages, and has a tendency to waste time at the office reading restaurant blogs. Here, she explores all facets of the Web's gregarious side, as well as the unique tech culture in her home city of New York. (Don't call it Silicon Alley.)

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