Five Things to Know Before Using Facebook Timeline Apps

Facebook introduced a crop of 60 new partners that have integrated their applications which add real-world interactions to Facebook pages with Open Graph. But the experts warn that you should be careful while using them because adding an app means that it will update your Timeline for you whenever you do a given activity.

These apps--which include popular names like IMDB, GoodReads, RunKeeper, and StubHub!--will likely increase engagement for brands who want (arguably more than anything) to penetrate the real lives of users, many of whom strongly identify with their Facebook profiles. But before you add these attractive new apps, consider the way Open Graph works and how exactly it will affect your Facebook experience.

1. Beware of "frictionless sharing."A term originally coined at F8, "frictionless sharing" is the new permissions protocol, which says that apps only need initial approval to post activities on your behalf. Once you install the app and authorize it to post stories on your profile and News Feed, it'll never ask for your permission again.

2. Your activity will be seen everywhere.
With Open Graph, app activities will now appear in the News Feed, Ticker, and on your Facebook profile. Why? Facebook hopes that by sharing your activity everywhere, your friends will be more likely to install apps you're using, further helping brands increase awareness.

3. Your Timeline might not appear in chronological order.
Graph Rank, the algorithm that decides which posts are deemed "Top Stories" will also affect your Timeline. This means that even if your most recent activity was a status update, your jog on the RunKeeper Timeline app might appear above it. The exact placement of activities on your Timeline are dynamic and will shift depending on who visits your Timeline, and (possibly) if Facebook is profiting off that activity.

4. Consider organizing your friends into Lists.
Because the new Timeline apps use "frictionless sharing," your highest level of security against oversharing will be audience selection. As previously mentioned, you will have the opportunity to select an audience with which to share your activity upon the initial installation of an app (see photo below). In the drop-down list, under "Custom," you'll see your friend lists.

5. You can always revoke an app's permissions.
If you decide you no longer want to use an app or want to change its sharing settings, you may do so at any time. Head to the App Settings page and click the "x" next to the app to delete it, or click "Edit" to change the audience selection.