#want button

Tom Waddington, The developer who found the XFBML tag for a Facebook’s want button has been snooping around Facebook's code again. This time he’s found references to a new social commerce feature in Facebooks code.

Waddington told Mashable that the “socialcommerce” coding he’s found in Facebook looks like it would allow users to share product purchases to their profile pages and timelines. This is what he said:

“The fact the code contains references to “socialcommerce” is a sign that they’re taking it seriously. In the same way music, news, and videos are shared on the site, Facebook is planning to allow users to share both wants and purchases, from items bought within games to donations.

Considering the huge impact Facebook music has had on Spotify and news integration for sites such as Yahoo, social shopping seems to be the next focus. The important distinction is that these aren’t custom integrations — they will be sanctioned and controlled by Facebook, which means they will get the premium placements, similar to the trending articles unit.”

Latest news coming from Facebook's testing labs is they're playing around with a Want button. Meaning we might be soon seeing it near the like button on certain product pages. It's a move designed to boost commerce and take Facebook into the Pinterest and Fancy territory. Sure, marketing wise it does make sense. 

But aside from that, is it a smart move? Or could it turn us into a bunch of public cravers? Will we become more prone to broadcast our neediness? I can imagine seeing some of my friends updating their want lists before their birthdays. Things like that could eventually become bothering or even lame. And this is definitely not what Facebook wants to do to us.

As I've shown before Facebook is trying hard to show our better side to everyone. But how is that coherent with exposing our more materialistic sides? It's not. I think the quality of interaction it triggers is what drives Facebook away from competition. And it's also what keeps it floating, fashionable and profitable. It probably is Facebook's most important asset. And they should test the hell out of every new feature to make sure it orbits that philosophy.

Seemingly untouchable tech giants can and have been hurt by little things before. However reluctant, though, I will hold my horses until I see the Want button in action.  

Earlier this week, Facebook announced that seven different companies will be testing a new feature that allows users to "Like," "Collect," and (more exciting to the masses) "Want" a product.

So far, Pottery Barn, Wayfair, Victoria's Secret, Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus, Smith Optics, and Fab.com are the retailers that were selected to test the Pinterest-like endeavor with wish list-making users.

We got pictures of what the "Want" button looks like yesterday, but how are brands actually using it?

Here's everything you need to know so far.

Victoria's Secret is one of seven companies selected to be a part of the "Want" button test group. But where do you find the wantable products?

Facebook Screengrab

We first clicked Victoria's Secret's photos ...

Facebook Screengrab

But as much as you might want this lingerie, old photos don't have a "Want" button in the top left corner of the picture.

Instead you have to scroll down a brand's wall to one of its specially created collections. The green shopping bag is a symbol for the new "Want" feature. Victoria's Secret opted to test with sweaters rather than negligees.

And voila! The "Want" button.

When you press the button, you are immediately asked, "Why do you want it?" (And who wouldn't want a 16th Century replica globe bar from Wayfair?)

Facebook Screengrab

Michael Kors is another brand testing the new feature. Note: after you "Want" something, you always have the option to "Unwant" it.

Fab.com, which recently bought a pricey ad on Facebook's logout page, is also testing the want button.

Facebook Screengrab

As is Neiman Marcus ...

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... Pottery Barn ...

Facebook Screengrab

... and Smith Optics. You can click on different items in the collection on the bottom right hand corner.

Facebook Screengrab

Things consumers "Want" then pop up on their newsfeed.

Facebook Screengrab

Right now, not everyone can see the "Want" button. Facebook is also testing for "Collect" and "Like" (which is liking a product rather than a post). This is more Pinterest-like and let's you put it into a home, fashion, or wish list category.

Facebook Screengrab

You can also create your own collection list. I made one specifically for Lobster quilts, which Wayfair was promoting.

Facebook Screengrab

While products you "Collect" don't go straight to your wall, you can view it under activities.

Facebook Screengrab

Do I really want whatever I want?

Well, that's another quesiton. But now you can really want stuff and make your sentiments very clear on Facebook! Facebook has been testing the Want button, that goes beyond the like and makes it one-step closer to making the statment - Social Media Works for your Business.

What this means for fellow marketers: 1. Hard Measure of Purchase Intent: That's the magic number marketers are tracing to make all their digital activities link to sales or sales intent. They WANT this. Right now, after every digital execution, a separate research is carried out to show ROMI of all the moolah that was spent. Now picture this, with every thing on Facebook, as little as posting a picture of your latest variant launch, you can measure the desirability. What do you with this desirability index?

Can you turn it into a more sophisticated CRM program?

Can you make your sampling activity go beyond XX numbers of samples distributed and make work harder?

Can you show a correlation between want & sales?

Can you convert visitor on your website one step closer to buying your product after seeing the no. of wants?

Facebook users may soon see a 'Want' button on their profile pages. Recent reports revealed that the button may be in its testing phase, as a developer discovered the feature, among others, in the newest version of Facebook's SDK. Reportedly, the 'Want' button will allow users to identify products that they...want. 

                       La red social de Mark Zuckerberg está por lanzar un nuevo botón que se sumará al clásico "Like".

Se trata de "Want", o "Quiero", por su traducción en español, y ya está en la lista de plugins sociales en javascript que proporciona Facebook.

Por lo pronto, Facebook no salió a desmentir esta filtración, aunque adviritió que no tiene nada por anunciar.

Ahora la pregunta es ¿qué funcionalidad le encontrará la red social más grande del mundo a este plug in? ¿será para abrir una tienda online? Pronto lo sabremos.