Do you have a Facebook Page? Be aware of the changes

If you have a Facebook Page then you need to be aware of some changes being implemented from the 23rd of August. Facebook recently announced the changes on its Developer’s Blog. If you have a Page you will probably have already noticed this announcement at the top:

Get ready for your streamlined Page:

This headline has been followed by an explanation which reads like this:

“Starting on 23 August, we’ll be simplifying your Page to make it easier to browse:
1) Boxes are going away, including the Boxes tab; and
2) All custom tabs will be narrowed to 520 pixels. If you have a custom tab, we recommend that you visit your tab now for a preview of how your content fits in the new layout — please make adjustments as needed. The rest of Facebook will see the old tab width until 23 August.”

Facebook went on to explain that, “We announced plans last October to remove application boxes and application info sections as well as reduce the width of application tabs to optimise for the new profile and Facebook Pages format. We will be moving forward with these changes the week of August 23 and want to help you understand what to expect. Based on feedback from developers, we have committed to the following plans to ensure a smooth transition:

Boxes: We will notify users via messaging in profile boxes and in the Help Center that the “Boxes” tab, boxes on profiles and Pages, and application info sections will be going away.

Application Tabs: Next week, we will give Page admins the ability to preview their custom tabs in the new 520 pixel width so they can modify their layouts as needed. All profile and Page tabs will be resized automatically beginning the week of August 23.”

What does this mean for you?

The impression is that Facebook Pages will be simpler and more effective with these changes. The Boxes tab was already pretty redundant. It simply featured some of your existing tabs and other information like Favourite Pages, but these can be accessed elsewhere on your page anyway, and it will be no great loss to the success of your Facebook page.

However, the resizing of the Applications Tabs however will have an effect. If you’ve created any custom tabs through FBML, for example, you’ll need to ensure that the content doesn’t break with the new 520 pixel width. As they state: “If you have a custom tab, we recommend that you visit your tab now for a preview of how your content fits in the new layout.”

So be aware that there are going to be some changes, and if you are managing a Page, you can implement the changes by going to your Page’s admin area.