Facebook unveiled on Tuesday a plugin for the WordPress blogging tool that offer expanded integration between the two.
The move will put Facebook widgets on more pages around the Web and will likely bring more content sharing to Facebook’s own platform. WordPress software is used to create 17 percent of all Web content, according to Facebook’s announcement, accounting for 600 million unique visitors a month. The New York Times’ website uses WordPress, for example.
Using the just-launched features, content creators can have new posts they publish with WordPress appear automatically in their Facebook timeline or company page. Without leaving the WordPress interface, authors can also add comments or tag friends when sharing their links.
A new feature will provide readers with personalized recommendations for further reading on the WordPress-powered website they are visiting, based on Facebook algorithms.
An expanded commenting feature includes SEO (search engine optimization) support for comments made using Facebook logins, the company said.
Although some Facebook functionality was already available in WordPress, the beefed up integration eliminates the need for publishers to insert code into their content. The features appear as lists of options that can be selected under Facebook settings and widgets settings.
The plugin will work for non-English and mobile content, according to WordPress.
Cameron Scott covers search, web services and privacy for The IDG News Service. Follow Cameron on Twitter at CScott_IDG.