The Facebook Blog

With the more than 52,000 applications available on Facebook Platform, there are countless new ways to connect and share with friends and family. You can play social games, recruit people to causes and discover music and movie recommendations--to name only a few.

Sometimes, all that choice can be a little overwhelming. So today, we've launched a new Application Directory to help you discover the best and most reliable social applications. The directory includes applications for Facebook.com, as well as a growing number of Facebook Connect... enabled websites, mobile devices and desktop applications. You can access it from the "Browse More Applications" link on the Application menu in the bottom left-hand corner of your browser. Check out these and other tips in this video.



One of the new sections in the directory is "Applications You May Like," which includes the most popular apps on the site, ones your friends have used recently or those that are being suggested based on your current favorites. In some instances, you'll also see green check marks displayed alongside some of the listed applications. These signal that these applications are verified, having passed through a detailed review by Facebook.



When an application completes the verification process, they commit to extra steps for providing a trustworthy experience that meets your expectations.

You'll also find an area for applications "Featured by Facebook." This will include some Verified Applications that we periodically select, because they offer a unique way to interact or share with your friends. For instance, check out currently featured application, kaChing, which lets you and your friends create stock portfolios and compete to see who can outperform the market. Also take a look at CitizenSports and find out which sports teams are your friends' favorites.



Below the listing of "Applications You May Like," you'll now find a stream of your friends' most recent activity with applications. This lets you learn new things about your friends -- from the interests you share and the jobs openings they are promoting to their recent high scores in Tetris and the summer concert they're planning to attend.



You can receive updates directly from the applications you love by becoming a fan of their application profile. Once you're connected, these applications can communicate new features and share updates in your News Feed, so you can be the first to review a new movie or learn about new features being introduced.

Be sure to visit the new Application Directory to find your next favorite application.


Sandra, a program manager for App Verification, is waiting to play her turn in Lexulous..