Rumours have been circulating for months now about Google potentially looking to expand into the ‘social coupon’ market, with stories of acquiring services such as Groupon making waves across the internet.
They probably won’t be too pleased to hear about Facebook’s latest social media services, then! Facebook have launched a new discount feature called Facebook Deals for its iPhone app and Android users that ties in with Facebook Places, and allows users to get discounts and deals at participating high street stores, restaurants and more.
Joanna Shields, Facebook’s vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, says of Facebook Deals, “Your life is not just about the people in it, but also the experiences you are having and the places around you.” So how does it work? When ‘checking in’ to Facebook Places when at a certain location, users will be able to take advantage of deals and discounts available to them, sort of like a virtual loyalty card. Big names have already signed up for Facebook Deals in the UK, including Yo! Sushi, Benetton, Alton Towers and Mazda.
Over 650 million users worldwide login to Facebook through their mobile – via app or browser – and the more we learn about Facebook Deals the more it seems like a ‘thank you’ to that crowd. Facebook say they don’t take any profit from the discounts, and are insisting that it’s a platform to help build better relationships with the corporate world.
As far as we can see, it’s also a clever way to get more and more people making use of Facebook Places! Facebook say they want to extend the service beyond big name brands, which will be great news for smaller companies who are trying to enhance their reputation with local SEO.
A small company that takes part in the Facebook Deals service is likely to attract a more-youthful, socially aware crowd that will help spread the business’s reputation further. Google had better get a move on if it wants to enter this market…
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Posted by John.
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