Facebook Recommendations Bar plug-in offers pop-up suggestions on third-party sites

Facebook interaction on third-party sites is about to get a bit more noticeable. The social network has introduced a new plug-in to all publishers today called the Recommendations Bar, which pops up as users scroll down the page and gives suggestions for other articles to read next. Of course, it’s simply an option for web developers — Facebook hasn’t forced the feature down anyone’s throat — but the company believes that publishers will go for the idea because its tests show that it can increase page views. Along with the Recommendations Bar, articles that you like while logged in will be shared on your Timeline and on your friends’ News Feeds. The feature has been in beta on a few sites like Mashable, Wetpaint, and The Mirror for some time — and it was included with the first round of social plug-ins that were released to WordPress sites last month — but it is now available for all web publishers.