The following App Development Guidelines go into effect on February 3, 2025 and are part of our updated Developer Policies. Read the updated policies.

App Development Guidelines

Follow these guidelines to create high-quality user experiences. If we believe, in our sole discretion, that you or your App are negatively impacting Platform, we may require you to adhere to one or more of these guidelines to address any issues we identify. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning given in the Platform Terms.

Ensure reliability and usability

  • Build an App that is stable and easily navigable.
  • Keep your App description and categorization up-to-date.
  • Provide a "Log out" option that functions properly and is easy to find.

Be clear about your App’s connection to Meta

  • If people come to your App from the Facebook app on Android or iOS, give them an option to go back to the Facebook app by implementing a back button as described in our Developer Docs or when they press the system back button

  • Ask for permission to publish content on the person’s behalf only at a point when your App needs the permission (e.g. don't prompt a publishing permission immediately after a user logs in to your App).

  • If a person declines a permission, prompt them again only after they indicate an intent to grant you the permission.

Deliver a positive user experience

  • Encourage people to accurately tag and share content.

  • You can incentivize people to use Messenger or Instagram to communicate with your business, to engage with your App and its Page, or to share content from your App, provided these actions do not negatively impact Platform.

  • Encourage authentic sharing by avoiding the prefilling of any content in captions, comments, messages or the user message parameter of posts. If you do suggest content, ensure that content can be edited by the person before it is shared.

  • Ensure your comments are uniquely tailored for each person.

  • Don't post unauthorized commercial communications.

  • Avoid excessive ads. Don’t let ads distract from your App’s functionality.

  • If you suggest content for people to share, don’t create a negative experience by creating low quality content.