Facebook is testing a new “Want” button in a move that could make the social network much more attractive to ecommerce sites, according to a new report.
Inside Facebook reports that the plugin would function in a similar way to Facebook’s iconic “Like” button.
The blog said that developer Tom Waddington discovered that the “Want” button added to the Facebook Javascript SDK as an XFBML tag –
Waddington also said the button will only work on Open Graph objects marked as “products,” indicating it may be used for marketing.
Developers have been able to create their own “want” actions using Facebook’s Open Graph, but users have to authorize a third-party app for those buttons to generate stories on Timeline and News Feed.
“If the Want button plugin works similarly to the Like button, users will not have to go through the step of authorizing an app. This means even more users will be likely to click it,” InsideFacebook.com said.
On the other hand, it said the Want button could be a key way for Facebook to collect desire-based data.
The ‘Want’ button is not publicly listed among the other social plugins on Facebook’s developer site,” it added.
It quoted a Facebook statement as saying, ““We’re always testing new Platform features, however we have nothing new to announce.”
A Want button would be helpful for Facebook in that it could allow the social network to differentiate between what you Like, which could be both items you have already as well as those you are looking to get, and what you Want, which are likely things you are in the market for.
