Facebook ditching FBML and what it means for your custom Facebook Page

Update (12/21/2010): Read this post for the latest on how this will affect creating Facebook Page tabs with Static FBML.

After the recent barrage of changes to Facebook Pages, you’re probably about the rip the final strands of hair out of your head.

The good news is that you never ever worry about things like this. Plus bald is beautiful.

The bad news is the next big change is a pretty big change.

What the heck is FBML?

FBML (Facebook Markup Language) is the Facebook equivalent to HTML. It allows you to create Facebook applications, including the custom tab on your Facebook Page.

But soon, Facebook will be ditching FBML and moving towards iFrames for both canvas applications and Page tabs.

What the heck is an iframe?

Simply put, an iframe is a way for one website to pull in small pieces of code from another website (see more on Wikipedia).

What does this change mean for my Facebook Page?

Facebook will continue to support existing custom tabs on your Facebook Page. This means that you’ll only have to worry about iFrames for new custom tabs. And by “worry”, I mean you’ll have to do one of the following:

Learn how to work with HTML iframes. Facebook no doubt will have a reference manual to help you.
Let a premium Facebook Page template company worry about the iframes issue. The guys at FanPageEngine are already on it.
Let a Facebook strategy consultant, like InboundZombie, worry about it.

Update (12/21/2010): Read this post for the latest on how this will affect creating Facebook Page tabs with Static FBML.

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http://patriotconnect.com Genuine Chris Johnson

iFrames, like from 1995? Wow. That's exciting stuff. So much better than a closed language.
But hey, churn is good for facebook people like InboundZombie, and as long as FB changes the rules, they'll need tour guides.

http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

You are right about that, Chris.

Elizabeth

Just so I'm clear – if you already have an FBML tab set up, you do not need to change it?

http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

True

http://www.sueannereed.com Sue Anne Reed

But, given Facebook's history, I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of months after the iFrames change they announce that they will stop supporting FBML.
http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

I wouldn't be surprised. However, keep in mind that they will piss off brands like coke and Nike with a move like that.
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http://trafficcoleman.com/ TrafficColeman

Facebook getting out of hand, but I understand companies love to tweet stuff, believe me when I say there will be many YouTube videos on how to use it.

“TrafficColeman “Signing Off”
Erik Karff

I know in this section one is supposed to add to the value of the conversation/community. I only have but one thing to add: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
G.E. Masana Photographer

Better IFrames then FBML but they still won't have a fully operative site anyhow.

Aaaaaaah, who cares. In five years some other site will be where everybody – and all the noise – is.
Rob Ainbinder

iFrames… so User Friendly, too!
http://twitter.com/BoucherMEDIA BoucherMEDIA

“I wish I could quit you…” Facebook needs competition!
Nano Serwich

It's funny to me that Facebook – the world's leading site in community building, can't figure out how to notify their own community of upcoming changes that will effect everything. Ya know?
Dsmith

Does anyone know if Google Analytics can be supported through iFrame?
http://assetebooks.com Thomas Retterbush

Bravo! I never liked FBML, partially because I had enough trouble finding the time to learn HTML, but mostly because I don't have the time to learn ANYTHING else new. I'm hoping they come out with some plugin templates for Pages customization.
http://www.zapsock.com J. Mark Bangerter

Are there limitations for the iFrames? Because the way I understand iFrames is that you can essentially place your entire site on another site or vice versa. So I could have my entire blog on my Facebook page. My wife could put her store on her Facebook page. You can really add your entire site.

Jeanne68

That's already possible and has been for some time (to put your blog on your facebook page). For an example, if you go to my landing page on my facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/savvydesigndivas) – all that content you see is pulled directly from my wordpress blog powered website (http://www.savvydesigndivas.com)…Of course, I had to strip out all the css 'cause facebook didn't like it. I am also working on pulling directly in via iframe as well (you can see my progress so far at http://apps.facebook.com/savvytestiframe/ ) – obviously the site would need reworking for width limitations – that's no biggee…but for right now I'm just trying to figure out how to get to display in an application tab. blah!!!
http://johnhaydon.com John Haydon

I don't know yet what the limitations will be on iframes.