Facebook’s reach continues to grow as popular web destinations open their doors (and users) to the Facebook Open Graph API. While companies like Pandora and Yelp have developed custom API integrations, other sites like BuzzFeed and Levi’s are testing the waters with more simple, streamlined methods of implementation with the help of Facebook’s Social Plugins. These plugins are easy to add to any site (since they’re just one line of HTML) and bring sociability to every corner of the interweb. Here are a few great implementation examples of Facebook Plugins from some popular online destinations:

Like Button

Levis.com
Levi’s has implemented the like button across it’s entire product line on the website. Users are able to ‘like’ a specific product and add a comment, which then posts an update to their Facebook feed. This also gives insight to the most popular products based on the number of times that product has been ‘liked’ by their customers.

Get the Like Button code.

Login Button

JibJab.com
JibJab’s Facebook login allows users to easily authenticate using their existing Facebook login. No creating new user names and passwords, simply connect using Facebook. By doing so, JibJab is able to pull in photos from your existing Facebook galleries for use in creating and personalizing your JibJab project.

Get the Login Button code.

Facebook Comments

BuzzFeed.com
One of the many Facebook features that BuzzFeed has instilled in their site is the commenting system. Once again, you are able to use Facebook credentials to sign in to post a comment. Of course, the comments are then fed back to the user’s Facebook feed, where all their friends are able to see the interaction.

Get the Facebook Comments code.

Get the Activity Feed code.

Get the Live Stream code.

A couple of days ago, Twitter launched @EarlyBird, a social shopping service that works with select advertisers. With it, Twitter is positioning itself as a new consumer destination for exclusive and time sensitive deals. Like Woot, Groupon and other social shopping sites, Twitter earns money by taking a portion of the sale revenue in exchange for the promotion. Despite not posting a single deal, @EarlyBird already has nearly 15,000 followers.

To view the deals, all you have to do is follow the @EarlyBird account via Twitter, but you may see the deals if someone you already follow ReTweets a deal. At launch, offers will only be available to US customers, but Twitter hasn’t eliminated the option to expand internationally. We expect local city deals to launch in the future as well.

For businesses looking to promote a deal, the details are still lacking at this point. Twitter has selected its initial partners and are not disclosing their commissions or fees. We expect a more formal business sign-up process in the near future, but for now Twitter is open to suggestions. If you’ve got one, you can direct message @EarlyBird.

This new endeavor marks a notable attempt for Twitter creating a revenue stream and taking social shopping head-on. Depending on consumer response, we may see Twitter build out even more shopping verticals and hyper-local offers.

This past April, Facebook launched its Open Graph API, which allows site owners to add a like button to any type of content on the web. According to Facebook, over one million websites have implemented versions of Facebook features like Open Graph. This has pushed social sharing beyond Facebook’s walls and has quietly put them in a position to compete directly with large web-search engines, like Google.

The Open Graph data that Facebook is now collecting from across the web means that searches on Facebook now pull data outside of the social network. Obviously, Facebook’s search algorithm is a secret, but we can assume that highly liked content is more apt to rise to the top of the search results.  

Right now, Facebook only accounts for 2.7% of global searches, but has been growing by as much as 48% per month. Even now, this is still greater than AOL and just slightly less than Ask.com.

So, what does this mean for marketers?

It’s early to tell, but there is enormous power in search results powered by likes over links. Since referrals are a huge driver in purchasing decisions, a semantic social search could be a game-changer for online marketing.

What you can do now

We believe it’s a good idea to start implementing the Open Graph API on your website. We also recommend developing a strategy for how and where you’ll use the like button and Open Graph features in your overall marketing plan. Even if Facebook’s strategy doesn’t completely materialize, enabling these social sharing features with an intelligent strategy is still a good idea.

And, if you need help implementing Open Graph or developing a social marketing strategy, we are here to help.

Read more about Facebook’s social searching:

http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/06/facebook-unleashes-open-graph-search-engine-declares-war-on-google/

http://gigaom.com/2010/01/07/the-dawn-of-facebooks-people-organized-web/

TAB6SUAFN9CZ

Location-based social media are a growing segment of participation marketing that adds an interesting way for customers to interact with brands they love. Since users are already sharing information and ‘checking in’ to places they enjoy, brands can get involved and interact with these loyal customers. More importantly, companies can actually listen to what their customers are saying and reward the most loyal for contributing.

Customers are already using Foursquare,  but most brands are just now discovering social media. Many companies still approach it like traditional marketing, as a channel to conquer.  Not only is this counter to the spirit of social media, but it can actually backfire as the heavy-handed, centralized approach can turn off your greatest brand ambassadors.

Mojave has put together this free guide as an overview on Foursquare marketing. We hate irrelevant interruptive advertising, and believe that brands and customers can come together through relevant, engaging conversations via social media. Feel free to pass this along, and add your thoughts to the comments below.

Download the Foursquare for Marketers guide (PDF 31 Pages)*
* Completely free, but requires email.