To add OpenID like SO, do I have to implement each OpenID separately

Question

I see that most sites that allow you to login with OpenID have several OpenID providers listed, like Yahoo, Google, myopenID, etc.

If I want to offer the same features to my site users (allow them to login with their Yahoo or Gmail, etc.) do I have to add each OpenID provider separately? What I mean is, do I have to go and research how to add Yahoo, then go and research how to add Gmail, then go and research how to add OpenID, etc.? or there an easier way to do this?

I work with PHP so any suggestions or libraries that can make this easier are welcome

Answer 1

Yes, you would have to do provider-specific work to build each integration, test them and maintain them if those providers change their interfaces or APIs.

Or, you could save yourself all the bother of building integrations with each service and instead use a "social login" service like Janrain or Gigya. They're not free, but they would solve your problem.