New Facebook "Want" Button & Facebook Collections

(/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/encino-man-link-linkovich-chomofsky.jpg ""I am so excited about the Facebook Want button, I made a new dance." - Linkovich Chomofsky (Encino, CA)")

“I am so excited about the Facebook Want button, I made a new dance.” – Linkovich Chomofsky (Encino, CA)

Lately, I have been really slowing down on my Facebook use. Don’t worry. I’m offsetting that slowdown with an increased use of Twitter.

I’m still intrigued by Facebook. I’m amazed by their colossal stock slide. I’m interested in how they are going to continue growing their user base while at the same time trying to earn more and more revenue. I am most intrigued about their eventual move into e-commerce.

Based on a recent news report, it looks like we are about to see that move take place, and it could instantly turn Facebook into the biggest affiliate site in the solar system. Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the Facebook Want button.

If you’ve been following along with Want Button news over the past several months, you’ll remember back in June when Todd Waddington noticed a Want Button in Facebook’s Javascript SDK. Just after that discovery, Facebook removed the button. And apparently, they wouldn’t even talk about it.

Facebook Want Button

About a week ago, we found out that Facebook is now testing a Want button with 7 retailers:

1. Pottery Barn

2. Victoria’s Secret

3. Neiman Marcus

4. Michael Kors

5. Smith Optics

6. Wayfair

7. Fab.com

I really wanted to see this new button in action, so I ‘Liked’ the Smith Optics Facebook Page. In fact, it’s interesting to note that I could not see any posts that featured a Want button until I actually ‘Liked’ the Smith Optics FB page. But I’m not sure if that is how it is supposed to be. I imagine that Facebook would want to give all users the ability to see Collections.  [Note: Apparently, Facebook allows you to post a ‘Collection’, and that is the only type of post that can feature a Want button. I could be wrong about that, but it’s what I have noticed.]

Here is an example of a Smith Optics Facebook post in a Collection:

(/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/facebook-post-a-collection-want-button-collections.jpg "Notice: "posted in a collection."")

Notice: “posted in a collection.”

When I click into that ‘Collection’, this is what I see:

Facebook Want button in the top left; Link to buy in the top right.

You can clearly see the Want button in the top left. I can use that Want button to add this product to a my Facebook Wishlist. Pretty cool, right? But up in the top right of the page, I was surprised to see the text ‘Buy for $175.00’. That is crazy cool! Facebook fans can jump directly to your product page.

Yes! And you can tag it for measuring. [Random question: I wonder if Facebook will eventually add an affiliate code to these outbound links. Hmmm….]

Right now, everyone is wondering about Facebook and Pinterest and their respective race to ecommerce. The Buy link is something that sets Facebook apart from Pinterest. Right now, anyways. I have heard rumors that Pinterest is working on a new platform specifically for brands, and I’m thinking/hoping they will roll out something super rad.

If I got anything wrong in this post…well…my bad. It was my first look at the Want button and Collections. So yeah.