1) Never expected this...
2) This has to be related to the recent algorithm change. We wondered why Facebook would suddenly focus on punishing brand posts that ask for comments, likes and shares. Really easy to connect the dots here.
3) It may be within the rules, but we will see a lot MORE spammy, poorly done contests floating around FB . See #2.
4) While it makes a lot of sense to now run some small contests this way, keep in mind the benefits of third party app contests that collect email addresses. Third party apps still have their place.
5) And, no, this doesn't kill third party apps. Third party apps will continue to thrive, even third party contest apps. And other apps are still necessary/helpful for creating tabs that aren't contest related (landing tabs for ads, product features, ebook, newsletter signup, etc.).
6) It's all about selling more ads
7) FB also gave up on trying to enforce "rogue" contests (when they realized they didn't have enough man power to police it AND they figured out they could make more money on ads this way.
8) Third party apps will adapt to provide timeline post contest apps that collect emails and function much the way their app/tabs do now...
9) This will actually open up some new creative and effective ways to run contests
