A Few Important Concerns From the Facebook App O'Reilly Report

This past weekend Tim O'Reilly released a report that showed a curve in the number of users of Facebook apps. Today, Erick brought Tim's post back with his own discussion about the chart and included a full top 200 Facebook apps in terms of active users. Here are my concerns with both posts and areas that weren't discussed:

• Time - it's easy to say that xyz app has more users than abc app when xyz app has been available longer. Longevity can equate to more users on it's own. Since Facebook is a viral creature, the longer something is available, the more likely a user is to install the app and share it with their friends.
• BlackHat user techniques - In August, Erick's boss Michael Arrington wrote a lengthy article about Facebook application developers using potentially un-internet-lawful techniques to game users into joining the app. In fact the number 1, 2 and 3rd apps listed are all called out by Mike for using this technique.
• Counting Techniques - this is more of a question for Tim but how are the active users counted? Is it like RSS subs in that as long as I load my home page and a locator for the app is listed - then I am an active user? Or does it require actual participation?
• Friends increasing counts - If an app requires your friends to also install it - then the count is more exponential for those who are using an app like slide's vs. something more functional.
• Funding - do those apps that have funding and can use that funding for PR/Advertising have a higher likelyhood of growth?
• Install vs. Usage - this is an important concern I believe - if xyz app gets installed 1 million times during the period, then it automatically has 1 million active users during the period. I would much rather see a chart that showed 30 days usage past installation.

My hats off to all of the Facebook developers who have created something - don't worry if you aren't listed in the top 200, just keep up the good work and keep innovating! Check out our previous Facebook coverage.