Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for interacting with one or more data objects in an online social network. A user interface includes a publisher with a custom action. The custom action is defined in accordance with custom action instructions provided by a first entity via an application programming interface (API). Such custom action instructions may declaratively or programmatically define the data object, the interaction to be performed with the data object, and other attributes associated with the custom action. A user may request to interact with the data object via selection of the custom action by a second entity. Information may be submitted through the publisher to interact with the data object to update a database system associated with the data object. A feed item may be presented for inclusion in the information feed based on the update.