Social media never stays the way it is for too long. In fact, as soon as we get used to some apps, features and functionalities, API changes once again. For those of you who don’t know, API is an application program interface, which in other words means a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications.  

Speaking of changes, just this past February we shared an article on the new Facebook algorithm and what we should expect from those updates. Today, we’d like to discuss yet another announcement made by Facebook on April 4, 2018. 

Interested to know what Facebook API changes have been announced recently and how they may affect your social media marketing? Please keep reading! 

 

Recent Facebook API changes You Need to Know About 

 

1. Enhanced security and safety measures – At the base of the API changes lies the fact Facebook wants to limit third party applications access to your Facebook and Instagram account. To protect your personal information and content usage, a lot of those apps (e.g. Hootsuite, Buffer) need to adjust their functionalities to the new policy. 
2. Third Party Apps cannot use the Instagram API Platform to crawl or store users’ media without their express consent. In other words, Instagram users own their media and that right needs to be respected. So far, a lot of affiliate platform functionalities that used like-based shopping (e.g. LikeToKnow.It) have been greatly affected by this update.  
3. Facebook Login – if you don’t log in to your app in 90 days, the app will be blocked and you won’t be able to access your personal data until you re-authorize it. 

 

For more information on API changes, please check out this article on Facebook for Developers and Facebook Business. 

 

FACEBOOK’s COMMITMENT TO YOU: 

“Innovation demands iteration; it requires constant change. And, while change is never easy, we believe the immediate platform updates we are announcing today will build stronger connections for people, developers and businesses in the future, while maintaining their privacy and security on Facebook.” source 

 

Are you a social media marketer? What are your thoughts on these recent Facebook API changes?

Let us know in the comments how these updates affected your work. 

 

 

Advertising Is Simple  is a full-service marketing agency located in Wilmington, Delaware helping small to mid-sized businesses with all their digital marketing, radio and television advertising needs.   

 

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