Gumtree SA to test new software powered by Facebook

Image by Facebook

Facebook product manager Eddie O’Neil told VentureBeat that “people hate passwords” and the removal of that barrier to enter an app will increase sign-ups and expand audience.

Johan Nel, country manager for Gumtree SA, says that its California-based development team has been working hard with Facebook to bring this service on stream. “We put great emphasis on simplifying trading on Gumtree.co.za and we believe this new technology will do just that. Gumtree was excited and honoured to play a pioneering role with Facebook in this process.”

The software is built into the app, which then gives users the option of logging in via Facebook or with a phone number. Clicking on the phone number option prompts an SMS with a code that gives the user access without a Facebook account or a password.

Facebook expects the username/password sign-up option to remain the prime route into apps, but believes Account Kit will prove extremely popular.

Indian music streaming service Saavn is already demonstrating the role Account Kit can play with a growth in app sign-ups of more than half a million since introducing the feature only two months ago.