Create Facebook app to run in side margin of fan page

Question

I know how to create an application that can be installed as a tab on a Facebook fan page, but what can I do to get more exposure on the main page.

For example, I would like to install an app that was permanently open in the left hand column of a fan page.

Is this possible? What is this called? How do I get started?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Here is the documentation.

• http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Profile.setFBML
• http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/New%5FDesign%5FNarrow%5FBoxes

However, they are deprecating them soon.

Answer 2

Yes it's possible. It's called the narrow profile box.

1. Go to the Developer application
2. View My Applications
3. Edit the settings
4. Click "Profiles"
5. Make sure you have "Narrow" selected

This will let your users install the application into the left hand column of their profile or fan page.

Facebook claims that they will disable this functionality "at some point", but they are notoriously bad at following through on such promises.