Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) Asking Users to ‘Like’pages after Check-Ins, a New Location-Based Advertising Module on Its Way?
Facebook is experimenting again. It is now asking its users to ‘Like’ a page a few moments after they check into a place. This module appears on Timeline as well as the News Feed. It suggests the page that a user has just checked into. This may appear to be organic results for the moment, however, it could be an early experiment for a new mobile advertising product that is based on locations.
As per an update sometime in June, a Facebook spokesperson has stated that the social networking site had launched a feature to allow people to ‘Like’ a Page of a location that they have checked into moments ago. This feature is not currently sponsored.
Previously, there were reports that Facebook was working in a type of real-time advertising based on location. There were, however, no details of how the thing may work. Based on this latest experiment, it is being speculated whether businesses will be able to display ads to users, who check in a place near their location. Such ads can be highly relevant as the businesses are indicated within moments that a user is present at a place. Local retailers and businesses can make use of this service, especially the ones who cannot send messages to users who check into their site. If businesses can get people to ‘Like’ their official pages, they can remarket themselves through posts on News Feeds.
We all are aware of the module that Facebook was testing at the end of June that was called ‘Pages you may like’. This section initially had only organic page recommendations, but since last week, it is showing up Sponsored stories as well. Facebook could be executing such tests to see how its users are responding on receiving page recommendations based on their check-ins. There are other tests too to ascertain how users are reacting to have this kind of module on their News Feed and Timeline. If the outcome is positive and users are actually found to click on this module then the social networking site may think on working with partners to experiment the component with paid results.