Facebook places – where are we now ?

Unless you live on another planet you should know that Facebook places is out . There have been many reviews and thoughts as to what the service can do and how its the Foursquare or Gowalla killer.

So where are we, no pun intended, how has the reaction been and what's next?

At this point in the UK doesn't have access, but it is interesting to see the thoughts and opinions floating around from the loyalist Foursquarers to the facebook supporters.

One thing that springs to everyone's mind is the sheer number of Facebooks membership vs the geolocation services. At the time of writing Foursquare is at 3 million users, versus Facebooks 500 million. However due to the media and users comparing, Foursquare has recently had its highest signup rate ever.

From where I stand and from what I've been reading, compared to what the original Geolocation services offer - Places looks boring or according to Foursquare CEO and Co Founder Dennis Crowley “generic.”

Facebook, bland. Gowalla, stickers galore. Foursquare, like that Joseph bloke and his coat

However, Facebook recently bought Hot Potato for $10 million - a location based check-in service with features like GetGlue where users can check in with what TV show they are watching or book they are reading but then then shut it down. So hopefully that sad looking one-liner in the image above improves some what.


I use both Gowalla and Foursquare. First for my job and second because I think they are cool and a great way to record journeys. A great example using foursquare check-ins is Weeplaces. I like the badges feature on foursquare, the rarity of achieving certain badges and laying claim to being at events with limited edition badges, like SXSW. Gowalla's trips are a great way of encouraging users to venture out, they can unlock achievements for completing certain tours. Most of all I like that I can check in and keep the history and not worry about cluttering up my facebook newsfeed.

The majority of posts online that I've seen are saying Facebook is going to crush the little guys with their service, yet looking at the reactions and plans coming from the Gowalla and Foursquare camps, things may be be okay...

Foursquare is looking into a new kind of specials or discount mechanic, this feature will work similar to startup, Grouptab. Think Groupon and Foursquare having a baby. In short, offers or discounts will only be activated once a certain amount of check-ins have occurred. Lets say for instance you have checked in at your favourite restuarant. After about an hour you suddenly get a notification that wine is half price as there are 50 check-ins right there. (you should qualify for a swarm badge too)

Gowalla let their users know how they are embracing the new Facebook feature, stating Check-ins posted from Gowalla to Facebook will still show the stamps and photos yet these check-ins will also appear in Facebook places. If Places is not available where you are Gowalla will still post to your status updates as normal.

Thing is, I believe facebook is about to tap into something so big here, no-one knows what the deal was with buying Hot Potato it be anything from using the existing technology to simply gathering the expertise of the developers.Facebook was Already testing RFID tags at F8 in April and a recent Coca Cola campaign in Israel, Fans at the Coca Cola Village used RFID tags to 'like' or interact on facebook just on touch. Have a look :



Stay with me...

Take into account the integration of Facebook places into Fanpages for your brand. That is, claiming a place as yours say for instance Urban Outfitters in Covent Garden. With a bit of code you could create a fanpage with features conditional on check-ins. If your phone or RFID device auto checks you in to Urban outfitters you unlock a discount code for being there, specific to that store. Not for looking at the fanpage at home. This sort of thing is a great way to show how Social will drive even more foot fall to stores, and specific stores at that. Check-in data could be used in Facebooks ads as well.

Imagine targeting ads store specific, targeting users that have checked into a competitor just across the road. Could we see costa staff slaughtering Starbucks staff in the streets? Facebook places is about to open a whole new world and they have the numbers to get it right. Just pretty it up a bit maybe?

Facebooks possible last laugh? An article I read a few days ago noticed something. The Facebook Places logo, just under the red marker, is that not a 4 in a square?