CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will prompt a local download of the Google Chrome extension. To install the extension directly, open the file using your Chrome browser.
CNET Editors' review
We like Facebook and we like Chrome, so we thought that a Facebook extension for Chrome sounded like a great idea. Unfortunately, Facebook for Google Chrome is a disappointing combination of two of our favorite bits of Internet technology.
The extension installs easily and places a small Facebook icon to the right of Chrome's address bar. Even our first impression of Facebook for Google Chrome was negative; we had to actually visit Facebook in our browser and log in before the extension would work, because there was no way to log in through the extension itself. Once we were logged in, Facebook for Google Chrome provided limited access to Facebook's capabilities. We were able to post status updates, and view our live feed, wall, and notifications. The add-on allows users to comment on other users' status updates, in theory, anyway; we found that clicking on the Comment button resulted in a several-second delay before the comment window actually appeared. The live feed didn't seem to update very frequently, and the extension offers no way to refresh it. Clicking on a friend's name within the extension opens Facebook in a browser tab, but it opens the Lite version, which is frustrating when you want to go directly to regular Facebook. Facebook for Google Chrome has no options or Help file; what you see really is what you get, and it's not much. Overall, although this add-on works, we didn't find it to be a very effective way to integrate Facebook and Chrome.
Facebook for Google Chrome is free. It installs and uninstalls without issues. We do not recommend this program.
Publisher's Description
From Ben Hiller:
This Google Chrome extension lets you view your Facebook news feed, wall and notifications in Google Chrome. You can also update your status by clicking on your profile picture. Click the icon to the left for a screenshot. Your friends' pictures and names will not be blurred when using the extension.
More Products to Consider
- Explore the Web using Google's super-fast browser.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Download video from YouTube, Metacafe, Vimeo, Facebok and other...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Surf the Web comfortably, relying on speed, safety, and power o...Download
Installed
Smart Install - View Flash multimedia content through your browser.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Run Java applications on your Windows computer.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Surf the Web with browser with automatic form filler, popup blo...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Run Java applications on your Windows computer.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Try the faster browser that lets you get the most from today's ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Take your bookmarks, surf internet, and experience the private ...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Provide a versatile technology browser with high level of secur...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Flash Player preview version with new video hardware accelerati...Download
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install - Browse the Web with speed and an elegant interface.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Surf the Web with an immersive browser for Windows 7 and Vista.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Chat in Facebook while browsing other Web sites in Google Chrom...
- Download YouTube video from your browser with one-click.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Protect your privacy and defend yourself against network survei...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Assign a keyword of your wish to a URL.
- Get the information from Digg without visiting the site.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Change your Facebook status in a safe and stable way.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Surf the Web with the latest Microsoft browser for Windows XP o...Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Close the same tabs as a selected one.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Hide repeats of promoted tweets from twitter.com searches.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Create small and short URLs.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Close all tabs at the left side of the current tab.
-
All versions:
3.0 starsout of 4 votes
-
Current version:
3.5 starsout of 2 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-2 of 2
-
"Limited functionality but otherwise solid"
Version: Facebook for Google Chrome 2.0.9
Pros
Quick access to newsfeed, notification, etc., without having to load the facebook site.
Cons
Posting is limited to status updates and some limited comments. No photo posting. Posting links to articles and videos only gives you the raw url in your post, not a preview like on a real Facebook post.
Summary
This is handy if you want quick looks at your newsfeed, but that's about it.
-
"Awesome little app"
Version: Facebook for Google Chrome 2.0.9
Pros
+ Shows extremely recent posts. Even more recent than what you'd see on facebook.com news feed.
+ Quick loading with many functions. News feed/Wall/Mail/Invites. They all pop up quickly and work seamlesslyCons
- Very rarely must re-login.
Summary
I'm not sure what the reviewers where thinking here.
Points:
- Yes, you have to first logon to your facebook account from a browser to give the 3rd party application permission to access your facebook information.
- The live feed shows even more recent posts than what you'd see on facebook.com's feed from your "news feed"
- "Comment" window pops up immediately when clicked.
I've used this since it came out and these have always been so.
App works great and no annoying pop-ups or advertising unlike the current one available on the Chrome app store.
Do yourself a favor and check it out yourself before bowing to the CNET review.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:



