MySpace Learns From Facebook

Yesterday, MySpace finally launched its developer network. Soon, you’ll be able to bite, pinch and slap your friends on MySpace just like you did on Facebook.

Although MySpace is 9 months late to the third-party-application party (Facebook opened its platform last May), it’s clear that the social networking giant has learned something from Facebook’s experience thus far:

1. App developers can use MySpace tools to sell advertising. This is smart because it allows MySpace to keep its hand in the game. Facebook’s hands-off approach means apps have to come up with ad strategies on their own. Developers don’t have to use MySpace’s tools, but they will undoubtably make it easier for apps to generate revenue.

2.  Apps are hosted on MySpace servers. Correct me if I’m wrong about this, but I’m pretty sure Facebook apps are hosted on third-party servers outside of Facebook. If that’s the case, then MySpace probably will have a lot more visibility into how the apps work and the way they interact with user data. Some of the problems Facebook has had with rogue apps using deceptive practices may not happen on MySpace.

3. Apps must pass a “safety review process.” All apps running on MySpace will need to go through a safety check to make sure they don’t overstep privacy boundaries, according to a company statement.

The true test will be whether developers will flock to MySpace as they have to Facebook (now with 15,000+ apps and counting).  But surely the parameters outlined above will bring more legitimacy to the app marketplace.