Facebook debuts 'fan box' tool

The "fan box"is a new tool for celebrities, brands, products, companies, and other entities with Facebook "fan pages" to embed their Facebook presence into their Web sites.

What this means is when you visit a Web site of a participating brand, like Coca-Cola or Lance Armstrong's Livestrong nonprofit, you'll see a widget that lets you add that brand as a "fan" on Facebook. This then subscribes you to its updates, as well as a feed of updates, and an array of profile photos from members who have already proclaimed themselves to be fans. Installation of the fan box is meant to be simple so companies and sites tht are not technically savvy will be able to use it. Facebook is expanding its web presence beyond its own site and is actively pushing the message that its 200 million-plus user base is an invaluable resource for marketers. Facebook is moving into a territory MySpace once had a lock on in the social-networking world.