As Facebook continues its experiments to make sharing more efficient, the company is now testing a “faster, simpler version of Facebook” called Facebook Lite. Facebook Lite is now live at lite.facebook.com for those users included in the beta test, but Facebook accidentally showed the beta test invite to more users than are actually in the test earlier this evening. Facebook says it is running the test primarily in countries “where we are seeing lots of new users coming to Facebook for the first time and are looking to start off with a more simple experience.”

Users who are part of the beta test are seeing what could be described as a more “FriendFeed-esque” version of Facebook. The stream appears to be reduced to just status updates, likes, and comments – no activity stories, application stories, or embedded content appear. In addition, profile page tabs have been moved to the left side of the page, all basic info and small profile boxes have been removed, and the publisher is not open by default.

Here’s how the profile page looks in Facebook Lite:

When asked about its plans for Facebook Lite, a Facebook spokesperson told us:

We are currently testing a simplified alternative to Facebook.com that loads a specific set of features quickly and efficiently. Similar to the Facebook experience you get on your mobile phones, Facebook “Lite” is a fast-loading, simplified version of Facebook that enables people to make comments, accept Friend requests, write on people’s Walls, and look at photos and Status updates. We are currently testing Facebook Lite in countries where we are seeing lots of new users coming to Facebook for the first time and are looking to start off with a more simple experience.

This evening, the test was temporarily exposed to a larger set of users by mistake.  We have not opened up access to lite.facebook.com to all users at this time.  People who are not part of the test and are trying to access “Lite” will be directed to Facebook.com as usual.

Overall, it makes sense that Facebook would be testing simpler site designs, specifically for users in countries where speed matters due to bandwidth constraints. However, the accidental over-exposure of the beta invite did cause some confusion amongst users this evening.

The Facebook Platform overall has stabilized quite a bit in recent months since the launch of the new home page stream. However, Facebook is continuing to add new APIs to let developers add more compelling and engaging features. Last week, Facebook expanded the Stream APIs to fully support Facebook Pages. Today, Facebook is adding two more APIs around the Facebook Inbox and application notifications.

New Inbox API

Facebook’s Inbox API allows developers to access users’ Facebook messages for the first time (once a new extended permission is granted). However, while the new API allows reading Facebook messages, it doesn’t allow sending. Apparently, Facebook wants to take things conservatively and one step at a time.

“For example, a desktop application geared toward small business owners could enable users to check their company’s Page stream, as well as read messages and receive notifications, all from their desktop,” Facebook’s Ben Hiller says.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how developers build on top of the Facebook Inbox, even if in “read-only” mode. Facebook is in the process of adding more features to the Inbox now, but the new version is only open to a few test users now.

New Notifications API

Facebook’s new notifications API allows developers to retrieve users’ notifications to display within your application. Like the new Inbox API, this API appears aimed at communication productivity apps that could make it easier to consume information across the various Facebook viral channels. Developers can also mark individual notifications as read.

Application Attachments for Facebook Messages

Facebook is also simplifying the way that developers can enable users to attach application content to Facebook messages.

According to Facebook, “The new Inbox incorporates the same Publisher used to publish to the streams on the home page and profiles. We’ve enhanced the Publisher so it no longer requires you to create template bundles — you can now use the simplified attachment model that stream.publish uses. As we roll out the new Inbox over the next few weeks, we’ll deprecate the old message attachment process.”

For more information, check out the Developer Wiki.

This morning, Facebook announced several proposed changes to the site’s “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” – Facebook’s governing terms of service document for users, developers, and advertisers. Under Facebook’s process, any changes to the SRR must be made available for a public comment period during which users can give feedback on the proposed modifications.

We’ve read through the proposed TOS, and found all the areas Facebook has made changes. They’re listed below, with our commentary in line.

2. Sharing Your Content and Information

3. When you add an application and use Platform, your content and information is shared with the application. We require applications to respect your privacy settings, but your agreement with that application will control how the application can use the content and information you share. (To learn more about Platform, read our About Platform page.)

This one seems pretty straightforward. Within Facebook’s privacy framework, there are still a variety of authorizations users can grant to specific applications (for example, updating their status). Facebook apparently wants to be clearer about that.

4. When you publish content or information using the “everyone” setting, it means that everyone, including people off of Facebook, will have access to that information and we may not have control over what they do with it.

This new clause refers to Facebook’s upcoming privacy changes. In the new UI, it will be very easy for users to post content to “everyone” – i.e. that is publicly accessible to the Internet and, presumably, to search engines. While this will significantly boost Facebook’s content footprint for SEO purposes, it may lead to some user confusion as well.

3. Safety

3. You will not engage in unlawful multi-level marketing, such as a pyramid scheme, on Facebook.

This clause is particularly relevant to affiliate marketers running aggressive CPA campaigns. No word on whether Shaq’s promotional efforts on Facebook for diet strips are a traditional endorsement or multi-level program yet though.

11. You will not do anything that could disable, overburden, or impair the proper working of Facebook, such as a denial of service attack.

Last week, Facebook was subjected to a DDoS attack that was apparently directed against a specific user for political reasons. In case it wasn’t clear, that’s now against the TOS.

4. Registration and Account Security

2. You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain (such as selling your status update to an advertiser).

As we wrote earlier today, Facebook is now explicitly prohibiting companies like Magpie and Twittad from creating an ad network out of users willing to spam their friends and followers for money. Read more here.

9. Special Provisions Applicable to Developers/Operators of Applications and Websites

16. You give us the right to link to or frame your application and place content, including ads, around your application.

Facebook has placed ads around applications for a long time. This update just makes that clearer.

12. Special Provisions Applicable to Pages

This entire section is new in the proposed SRR.

1. Pages are special profiles that may only be used to promote a business or other commercial, political, or charitable organization or endeavor (including non-profit organizations, political campaigns, bands, and celebrities).

This appears to be Facebook’s rule against generic Facebook Pages.

2. You may only administer a Facebook Page if you are an authorized representative of the subject of the Page.

This has always been the case. It’s just restated here.

3. Pages can only post content and information under the “everyone” setting.

In other words, Pages can’t be used for private content distribution. All Page content is public and will be indexed by Google.

4. When you publish content or information to your Page we have no obligation to distribute your content or information to users.

Facebook is being clear that if you use Pages for an unintended purpose, it won’t hesitate in shutting your distribution down. For example, a few weeks ago, Facebook started disabling status updates for generic Facebook Pages.

5. If you use a Fan Box widget off of our site to promote your Page, others will be able to copy and place the widget elsewhere.

In other words, Facebook can’t prevent someone from copying your JavaScript snippet and putting your Fan Box elsewhere on the web. This generally wouldn’t be a problem unless someone intentionally placed it next to objectionable content somewhere, but this is always the risk with any widgets on the web.

6. You may not place a Fan Box widget in an advertisement.

This is an interesting rule. While you can place your Fan Box anywhere on the web, you can’t place it in an ad – Facebook doesn’t want its brand associated with possibly overaggressive marketing campaigns that could drive users to fan a Facebook Page.

7. If you collect user information on your Page, Section 9 of this Statement also applies to you.
8. If you display advertising on your Page, Section 11 of this Statement also applies to you.

Check out the full text of these sections here.

16. Special Provisions Applicable to Users Outside the United States

We strive to create a global community with consistent standards for everyone, but we also strive to respect local laws. The following provisions apply to users outside the United States:
1. You consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States.
2. If you are located in a country embargoed by the United States, or are on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals you will not engage in commercial activities on Facebook (such as advertising or payments) or operate a Platform application or website.

While the previous version of the Facebook SRR said, “You will not use Facebook if you are located in a country embargoed by the U.S., or are on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals,” the new text only applies to commercial activities such as advertising, payments, or developing a Platform app or a Connect-enabled website.

The complete proposed Statement of Rights and Responsibilities is available here.

This morning, Facebook announced several proposed changes to the site’s “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” – Facebook’s governing terms of service document. Under Facebook’s current process, any changes to the SRR must be made available for a public comment period during which users can give feedback on the proposed modifications.

One of the more interesting changes: users are now prohibited from profiting through the use of their Facebook profile, and specifically, from selling their status updates to advertisers. Section 4.2 reads:

4. Registration and Account Security

2. You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain (such as selling your status update to an advertiser).

Apparently, Facebook wants to explicitly prohibit companies like Magpie and Twittad from doing the same thing on Facebook that they’ve done on Twitter – create an ad network out of users willing to spam their followers for money. Obviously, sponsored status updates run very counter to Facebook’s vision for the type of information sharing that Facebook wants to support.

It’s a change that few users will be opposed to. The comment period runs until August 18.

Compete has just released their July numbers, and here’s the latest: after growing by at least a few percent during each of the last several months, Compete says traffic to all Facebook domains (including the main Facebook.com site and all Facebook Connect integrations) held steady in July at 122.7 million US uniques.

However, Compete’s subdomain breakdown for July is somewhat confusing. Traffic to the main Facebook.com site was up 27% in July to 117 million US unique visitors which, if correct, would be astounding growth at triple the rate of previous months. However, Compete also reports that traffic to Facebook Connect sites was down 40% in July to 42.6 million US uniques which, if correct, would be an astounding decline after 10 months of consecutive growth. We can think of two possibilities: either Compete is miscategorizing big chunks of data, or some sites have moved Facebook Connect related code to the main www.facebook.com domain. While this makes Compete’s July data feel less reliable, we’re assuming the overall traffic numbers to all Facebook domains are still relatively accurate.

Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter US Uniques – Last 12 Months

By contrast, Facebook’s advertiser tools reported 10% month over month audience growth in the US during July, up to 76.6 million from 69.4 million in June. That 10% clip was faster than both of the previous two months.

In addition, acording to Compete, traffic to MySpace and Twitter domains were flat during July too. MySpace actually declined 2% to 59.6 million uniques, while Twitter traffic grew by 1% to 23.2 million uniques.

As the virtual goods economy on the Facebook Platform continues to explode, leading virtual currency monetization and payment providers are continuing the race to scale as quickly as possible. And while Facebook itself continues limited tests of its Facebook Credits-based application monetization program, Offerpal Media, one of the largest virtual currency monetization platforms for Facebook, MySpace, and online game developers, is now testing its own virtual currency called Offerpal Credits. The test is now live in fbFund application (and Facebook Payments alpha test participant) MouseHunt.

Here’s how it works: “Offerpal Payments” is now presented as a payment option in the offer/payment wall. With Offerpal Payments, users can purchase Offerpal Credits, which can then be redeemed within any application or game in the Offerpal network. Credits can be purchased via the traditional variety of payment options, including PayPal, credit card, Zong, Boku, Amazon, Spare Change, and the Ultimate Gamer Card.

“Offerpal Credits serve as a way to give consumers a viable option for purchasing and managing virtual currency across multiple applications, multiple platforms, and the open web,” Offerpal’s Matt McAllister told us.

“The product is in no way intended to cannibalize traffic from other payment providers in our platform – we actually intend to keep adding more payment platforms (including Facebook Credits). We also want to point out that Offerpal Credits is a 100% open platform and is available for anyone who wants to use it. Of course, this is still in its beta stage and will remain so for the time being.”

Overall, Offerpal’s decision to develop its own branded, quasi-universal virtual currency is an interesting move that’s designed to increase consumer loyalty and create network effects. While Facebook is obviously in the most natural position to create a truly “universal” virtual currency across its platform, leading monetization providers like Offerpal, Super Rewards, Peanut Labs, TrialPay, Sometrics, Gambit, and others are in good position to build programs like this to create more loyalty and less friction across their publisher networks.

We’ll let you know as we hear more from developers – both on this front and the Facebook Credits alpha tests as well. As always, tips to mail AT insidefacebook DOT com are appreciated.

Yesterday, after announcing that it had acquired FriendFeed, Facebook launched a new version of Facebook Search, which for the first time brings real time search to all Facebook users. With the new Facebook Search, users can now see the latest status updates and shared content from both friends and all users who have made their profile open to everyone – in addition to more static types of results like applications, pages, notes, and groups.

We spoke with Leah Pearlman, Product Manager for Search at Facebook, to talk more about what Facebook has learned since it rolled out tests versions of the new Search two months ago – and how real time search will change the future of sharing on Facebook.

Justin Smith: Thanks for your time Leah. How have the tests of the new Facebook Search gone over the last couple months?

Leah Pearlman: We’ve had several iterations since the initial tests went live, but overall the tests ended up going really well. We didn’t get any negative feedback, and we were really pleased to find that people were able to friend and fan at the same rate as they were able to with the previous version of Facebook search.

We’ve been pretty excited because in addition to the feed search functionality this is kind of a new model – whereas before we’d always show 10 results, now we’re returning only the results we have the most confidence in. That is a big win in terms of the new UI.

JS: What changes have been made to the new Search since the tests began?

LP: In the initial tests, whenever anyone searched for a term in which there were results from friends, we would show those as well as public updates posted by users who are sharing their posts with everyone. However, in the last few weeks, we decided that the friend content was highly relevant, but the public content was less relevant, largely because full string search with quotes is not launched yet. So public content is still behind a secondary tab for now.

JS: How well has showing public search results worked in tests so far?

LP: Public results are really highly dependent on the query term and the user. People who have a large number of friends and a large number of friends who post a lot have a very different experience that those who don’t. For audiences who have many friends who post a lot, the friend stream will be highly relevant and pretty comprehensive about things like recent events. However, for those without a lot of friends posting, the friend stream doesn’t produce sufficient results most of the time, so the friend stream is often not more relevant than the public stream for them.

JS: What was the most surprising thing your team discovered when testing the new search?

LP: One, that fewer numbers of results could yield a similar search experience. Also, we think this will change how people will want to share content on Facebook – though we couldn’t really test that that in small test. We’re really hoping to see that a small percentage of users might post more often and about a wider range of topics if they have a wider audience. The new Facebook Search provides a wider, targeted audience who’s more interested in what you’re talking about.

This, in combination with like and share as those are integrated into search, will give posters more positive feedback, encouraging even more posting. There are some similar sites out there that do similar things and we really see the value in it.

JS: Do you have any stats on how feedback from the new search affects posting rates?

LP: It’s still to early, and the tests weren’t big enough. But we’ll see how people use it and make changes appropriately.

Note: Responses are transcribed from notes and may not be exactly verbatim.

While Facebook has created Pages to be the hub for brands, businesses, and celebrities to build their Facebook presence, it intentionally hasn’t made it easy for users to privately contact the administrators of a Facebook Page.

Why? Facebook wants to steer marketers to communicate with users through Facebook’s core communication channels. This means primarily posting content to the Wall for fans to read in their News Feed. Page owners can also send “updates” to fans (updates are bulk messages sent to fans that arrive in a separate Inbox tab), but updates must be sent more sparingly. And while Page updates can be targeted by age, sex, and location, Page administrators aren’t able to contact fans individually on behalf of the Page.

Facebook does not surface any way for users to privately contact the administrators of a Facebook Page by default. However, sometimes fans still want to contact Page owners directly. How can they do so? The best route really depends on the scenario:

1. Customer Service? Use the Wall.

If you’re interested in contacting the owner of a Facebook Page with a customer service question, using the Page’s Wall will give you the best shot at getting a response. Many Pages have staff set up to monitor and answer customer service questions, and chances are other users will benefit from the administrator’s response. However, unless the Page admin has specifically posted their contact information somewhere on the Page, you won’t be able to direct these questions privately to the Page administrator themselves.

2. Legal Issues? Contact Facebook.

If an unauthorized party is running a Facebook Page on behalf of your business or brand, Facebook will work with you to resolve the matter through a variety of possible methods ranging from transferring the Page to your control to shutting the Page down altogether (see How Do You Treat a Fan Who Owns Your Facebook Page? for more details and options). Using the “Report Page” link on the bottom left corner of every Page is the best first step. If Facebook is blocking you from creating the Page you are authorized to create, you can use this form to have your Page creation request manually reviewed. Note, however, that your request must come from an authorized source.

3. Business Development Requests? Use your intuition.

If you’re looking to get in touch with the owner of a Facebook Page for business development reasons, there’s no easy way to discover the contact information of the Page’s owners. If the Page is operated by a company, use a service like LinkedIn to find contacts at the company to ask for help finding the person who runs the Facebook Page. Otherwise, your best bet is to post subtle messages to the Wall asking the Page’s owner to contact you directly. If they’re actively managing the Page, they should get back to you quickly.

With over 250 million active users around the world and counting, Facebook continues to have particularly great success in Scandinavia.

While Facebook surpassed the 2 million monthly active user mark in Sweden and Denmark earlier this year, it has just crossed 2 million active users in Norway as well. With nearly 42% of the national population active on Facebook each month, Norway now trails only Iceland in terms of overall Facebook penetration.

The incredible number should be no surprise, as Norway has traditionally been an early adopter of social media. While there are a number of popular social networking sites available to Norwegians (Twitter has been gaining ground, with Norway ranking behind only the U.S. and Canada in total users), no sites have shared success on the scale of Facebook’s.

Overall, Norway is becoming more of a presence in the tech sector, with many internet businesses opening offices in the country in recent years. However, while Facebook’s Norwegian audience has grown by nearly 80% in the last year, it’s likely to reach saturation soon.

More details are emerging around Facebook’s FriendFeed acquisition, which was announced earlier today. While terms of the deal were not announced, Jessica Vascellaro at the WSJ says that Facebook paid about $50 million in cash and stock for the company.

The WSJ says Facebook paid about $15 million in cash and about $32.5 million in Facebook stock (based on the recent $6.5 billion valuation DST put on employee shares) that will vest “over several years.” The vesting schedule is apparently designed to ensure that FriendFeed’s 12 employees, 11 of which are engineers, apply their insights to Facebook’s challenges for a long time to come.

While neither Facebook nor FriendFeed would give specific details as to immediate plans for the FriendFeed team, co-founder Paul Buchheit said earlier that Facebook’s platform efforts were “a large part of the draw for us.”

Facebook VP engineering Mike Schroepfer added that the FriendFeed acquisition could accelerate some of Facebook’s  platform initiatives. Facebook’s Open Stream API, part of Facebook Connect, is conceptually similar to some of FriendFeed’s goals in building a social activity stream aggregator.

“There will be more features rolling out over the course of the year like the Open Stream API that should make the Platform more open and make more data available to developers. [The FriendFeed acquisition] could accelerate some of those efforts,” he said.