Facebook Place vs. Foursquare

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I get asked all the time, “Melissa should I use Facebook Places or should I use Foursquare and what is the difference?”


In case you don’t already know, both Facebook Places and Foursquare are Geo-location services that allow users to “check in” at certain locations, like the supermarket, restaurants, etc. This service also allows business to create coupons or deals.

So which one is better? Well that depends on your objective.

Facebook places is now available on the iphone, Androids and the Blackberry. You simple click or touch the Facebook Places icon and “check-in”. Your location and message will be posted on your Facebook wall.

As a business owner, you can claim your business. Simply use the Facebook app to check-in at your business and there is a link at the bottom that says "Is this your business?" Click that to begin the verification process.

Once you have claimed your business, you can use Facebook Places to create “deals” for you customers.

However, there are draw backs.

First, if you are a Blackberry user, you cannot access any deals on Facebook Places. I image that this will not always be these case, but for now, it is.

Second, when you “check-in”, this information is only posted to your Facebook wall and there is no option to have it post anywhere else.

Foursquare is an app that is also available on the iphone, Andriods, and the Blackberry.

Just open the application and “check-in” to your location. The big difference between Foursquare and Facebook Places is that Foursquare gives you the option to post your where-abouts to Facebook, Twitter and to send it to your Foursquare friends.

Businesses can claim there location by simply logging on to the website, Fouraquare.com and going through the verification process.

Once you have claimed your business, you can use Foursquare to create deals and coupons for your customers. As long as you have a smart phone, you can see the deals.