[Plugin: Add Link to Facebook] simple instructions?

The setup instruction are here.

That the plugin needs authorization is not an error, it is just something that has to be done for (Facebook) security.

I’m with you. This is a toughest plugin I’ve ever tried to configure. After reading the entire FAQ, instructions, all the posts here, etc., I simply gave up. I’m sure the tediousness of it is all the fault of Facebook, but in the end it’s just not worth it for the majority of casual bloggers.

Hats off to the developer for putting this out, though!

If you follow the five steps of the setup guide it shouldn’t be that hard. Things can get a little bit more complicated if you didn’t verify your Facebook account yet or if you get an error message. Almost all errors are documented in the FAQ and if you need more help, just ask.

Again, I’m not criticizing the plugin, but what I encounter when I try to set it up is not the same process as what’s in the guide or the plugin instructions. I typically don’t require searching these forums to install a plugin — I’m not a WordPress genius, but I’m far from a rookie. I can definitely follow instructions. I think something on Facebook has changed. I’ll just keep the Facebook Group and the club website (running WordPress) sync’ed manually. It’s just not worth the trouble, especially when Facebook can break it at any time.

Facebook did a big change recently. Unfortunately I am not able to look into it, because I am traveling, sorry.

I have just checked the setup guide and it should be correct (did you use this same guide?). I have followed the steps to the letter to setup a new application without any problems. I have added some minor clarifications to more easily find things on Facebook, but I don’t see how I can improve it otherwise.

What is in your experience exactly ‘not the same process as what’s in the guide or the plugin instructions‘ ?

Well, one month later I don’t exactly remember, but I remember simply not being prompted for or provided with the same information, field names, processes, etc. on/from Facebook. I found myself making guesses about what info I was being given from Facebook should be entered into the plugin. Again, Facebook cosmetically changes almost daily and even the “guts” change weekly. Documenting anything that involves Facebook is going to be a tedious, constantly ongoing process. And even if I did keep working at it to get everything working, Facebook could break it within days or even hours. Ultimately, it’s just easier and more reliable for the end user to keep WP and Facebook updated manually.

Just for the record, the user interface to create a Facebook application only did change once this year.

I found myself making guesses about what info I was being given from Facebook should be entered into the plugin.

From the setup guide, step 3:

Copy the App ID and App Secret from Facebook to the appropriate fields in the plugin

The plugin fields are named exactly as Facebook does name them.

Ultimately, it’s just easier and more reliable for the end user to keep WP and Facebook updated manually.

Of course if you have only a few links a week you can do this, but if it will be a dozen links a day, you may prefer the plugin. The plugin uses the officially published API to add links. If your hosting environment is sound, links should be added in a reliable way. I know of sites that add literally thousands of links each day.