When liking is not enough: Facebook tests a Want button for products

Facebook-linked actions for “wanting” or “faving” or “nomming” various items from around the web and the real world have been around for a while, but Facebook is now testing an official, homebrewed Want button for products, as well.

The news comes via Developer Tom Waddington, who found a Want button in the Facebook Javascript developer kit. Only compatible with objects marked as products, the button would allow users to list on Facebook things they might want to buy rather than just things that they like.

At the beginning of the year, Facebook announced that with Actions, the Open Graph would start containing a lot more verbs — and a lot more structured data along with it. It all plays into Facebook’s larger plan to create interesting, informative Timelines for each user, profiles that give a picture of who you are through scanable summaries from apps you use.

With a Want button — or really, with any Facebook-linked action that ties to structured data about products — companies have a very clear and accurate way to gauge consumer interest. That two million people want an iPhone tells Apple and its advertisers quite a bit: Not only will companies be able to measure appreciation (Like!) but now desire (Want!). A “Want” button removes all ambiguity and ties into the interest graph trend that’s been blowing up since Pinterest came on the scene.

“We’re always testing new Platform features; however, we have nothing new to announce,” a Facebook spokesperson told VentureBeat in a statement.

Photo: Ricardo Bilton