In May, Facebook certified the first batch of 120 verified applications to be included in the Application Verification Program. Since then, apps have shared with us that they have been quite pleased with the results of the program. But while the program seems to be holding up on its promise of delivering increased visibility to apps that pass verification requirements, quality control is not yet perfect.

For example, despite the program’s rules, verified app Hugged immediately asks users to choose 30 friends to “hug” right after they’ve installed the app. This is equivalent to asking these friends to install the app.

On the topic of Requests, the verification checklist says: “Does the application only ask for invites/requests after the user has performed or received a certain action (i.e., completion of an action is not preceded by an invite screen)?”

Hugged is an app that allows users to send hugs to their friends. Hugs range in type, including Thinking-of-You Hug, Supersized Hug, and Booya! Hug. You can view your hug history, which tracks hugs that you’ve sent and received, and publish these stories to the News Feed. In order for your friends to view the hugs you send them, they must install the app.

Compare this to popular verified app Causes, where recruiting fans to join a particular cause is only one component of the app. Besides that, members of a cause can post links, photos, and videos, and contribute to the Discussion Board, or share comments.

Kiva’s Media Board, which allows members of the cause to post content.

The challenge with the Hugged app is that its core feature is sending hugs, which is the same as inviting friends to install the app. How should apps in this category be evaluated and judged? Should they have been accepted into the program in the first place?

Even if they are accepted, it’s going to be important for Facebook to monitor the behavior of apps awarded the verified seal of approval.