Facebook Places | Cheryl Waller

See What’s Hot Nearby on Facebook Places, Twitter and Yelp

September 7, 2010 By Jolie O'Dell Leave a Comment

Facebook Places is still virgin territory for most users, let alone developers and businesses. So how do you get the most out of a service that few people have really figured out how to use?

Geo-social aggregator Hotlist thinks that by combining data from Facebook Places, Twitter, Google Maps and Yelp, users can actually get a lot more value out of their checkins. Its app shows the popularity of nearby events and venues, whether or not your friends are there, the male-female ratio at a given spot, and recent Yelp reviews and Twitter posts for any location you might want to hit up.

It’s one of the first Facebook Places API integrations we’ve seen, and it’s doing a pretty thorough job of combining a ton of unstructured (from the user’s perspective) data into truly useful tidbits of actionable information.

For an on-the-go-oriented application, it helps to have a strong suite of mobile apps. While we’re still waiting for an Android app or a BlackBerry mobile offering, Hotlist does have an iPhone app [iTunes link] available for download now.

As you can see from the site’s interface, there’s a lot of available data out there, and Hotlist does a decent job of pulling it all in. It has the ability to show you where your Facebook friends are currently checked in, and it can post back to Facebook about your intended excursions in the future, which is a nice traffic-driving mechanism for the site.

We weren’t able to test out the iPhone app, but of this we’re certain: Twitter, Facebook and Yelp already exist online, and they’re doing just fine. Where Hotlist stands to win is in the mobile arena. A truly excellent set of mobile apps — not just an iPhone application — can make the difference between an also-ran in the location market and a truly useful and sticky app with a long runway.

What do you think of Hotlist, both the site and the iPhone app? Let us know your opinions in the comments.

More About: facebook, Facebook Places, Hotlist, twitter, yelp

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Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Facebook, Facebook Places, Hotlist, mashable, search engine optimization, SEO, Social Networking, Twitter, Web Apps, yelp

Foursquare Beats Facebook Places in Reader Vote

August 27, 2010 By Ben Parr Leave a Comment

Facebook has made its grand entrance into the geolocation space with Facebook Places. Will users embrace it and ditch Foursquare?

That’s the question we posed in this week’s Web Faceoff, our ongoing series comparing technology apps or ideas. We asked you which location-based service you preferred: Facebook Places or Foursquare?

This week’s winner: Foursquare! The contest wasn’t even close; with 57.11% of the vote (1,611 votes), Foursquare remained the king of geolocation. Facebook Places was able to muster 18.86% of the popular vote. Of our voting readers, 7.73% (218 votes) said it was a tie between the two, while 16.31% of you (460 votes) said that you preferred another location-based service.

Many of you pointed out that Facebook Places and Foursquare are likely to be used by different types of people for different purposes. “Facebook is going for the people who want to connect every part of their Facebook experience to a location, while Foursquare is going for a games-based market,” said commenter Anuj Ahooja. Others pointed out that while they preferred Foursquare, Facebook’s userbase of 500 million (and counting) will make tough competition for any startup.

What do you think this week’s poll results? How will the competition between the two companies play out? Let us know in the comments.

Which do you prefer: Facebook Places or Foursquare?Market Research

More About: facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare, location, poll, web faceoff

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Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare, location, Poll, search engine optimization, SEO, Social Networking, web faceoff

26 Essential Social Media Resources You May Have Missed

August 22, 2010 By Zachary Sniderman Leave a Comment

It’s been a busy week here at Mashable HQ with the launch of Facebook Places. This round-up of resources from the past week or so comes jam-packed with tips and analysis, including a field guide to using (or disabling) Facebook’s new tool.

As always, there are some interesting entries across all of our coverage areas. In Social Media, check out five of the biggest emerging trends, some geeky web comics, and seven services for reserving your favorite username across the web.

Tech and Mobile offers 10 essential e-books for designers, some keyboard shortcuts for your iPhone, and an infographic on the rise of text messaging.

Business closes the round-up with a list of corporate blogs to learn from and great tips for aspiring copywriters and art directors.

Looking for even more social media resources? You can find this guide every weekend, where you can check out all of the lists-gone-by.

Social Media

5 Huge Trends in Social Media Right Now
Social media is no longer just about status updates. It’s connected to our location, shopping habits, entertainment preferences, and nearly everything we do.
The WikiLeaks Debate: Journalists Weigh In
For better or worse, WikiLeaks has had important ramifications for journalism. We spoke to four pros for their opinions on the age of Internet whistle blowing.
A Closer Look at the Privacy Features of Facebook Places [PICS]
In addition to talk of what the arrival of Facebook Places means for startups like Foursquare, the aftermath of last night’s launch has given rise to a number of questions about privacy.
A Field Guide to Using Facebook Places
If you’re ready to start playing, here’s what you’ll need to know about Places.
HOW TO/NOT TO: Ask Someone Out Online
We’ve reached that point, folks: the zenith of awkwardness whereby the cables of communication are so plentiful that we are wound in a web of our own making.
5 Useful Facebook Trend and Search Services
Want to know what people are saying on Facebook right now? Search the open data of the world’s largest social network with these 5 handy web apps.
7 Services to Find and Reserve Your Name Across the Web
If you choose a different username for every site you’re on, it can be hard to create a consistent identity across the web. These 7 services can help streamline the process.
5 Trends Affecting How We Connect Through Social Media
Social media is constantly evolving, and the conventions we use to interact and connect change all the time. Here’s a look at where we’re headed.
The Future of Public Relations and Social Media
We interviewed 14 PR pros on the future of public relations and how they see social media changing the industry.
Why Location-Based Social Media Needs to Get “Passive” Aggressive
Dropping whatever you’re doing to check-in at a new location is just lame. Here’s why the automatic, or “passive” checkin is crucial for the next level of geosocial services.
15 Great Geeky Web Comic Strips [PICS]
Want to dive into the world of web comics? Here are 15 fabulous online cartoon sites and series that are perfect for geeks.

For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Tech & Mobile

12 Beginner Tutorials for Getting Started with Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is the industry-standard when it comes to vector art, but it can be incredibly intimidating to new users. Here are 12 tutorials to get you started.
Top 5 Mobile Advertising Trends To Watch
There’s no question that the mobile advertising market is expanding rapidly, but where’s the best value for your marketing dollars? These 5 trends may shed some light.
10 Useful iPhone Keyboard Shortcuts, Tips and Tricks
Want to be faster and more productive with your iPhone’s virtual keyboard? Check out these handy hacks and features you may not even be aware of.
HOW TO: Make Your Mobile Websites Act More Like Native Apps
With all the different mobile platforms out there, it may be smarter to design one great mobile site that feels like a dedicated app on every device. These six frameworks can help.
10 Essential Free E-Books for Web Designers
Looking to build your virtual reference shelf? Here are 10 of the best free e-books for designers, available as either PDFs or in HTML format, that will inspire and educate.
The Rise of Text Messaging [INFOGRAPHIC]
Did you know that 14-17 year-old girls in the U.S. send an average of 100 texts each day? Check out this infographic for more interesting SMS stats and facts.
10 Incredible iPhone Portrait Photographs
These 10 gorgeous examples of mobile portraiture will change the way you think about cell phone pics.
10 Cool and Unusual Laptop Sleeves [PICS]
Why not make a statement with your digital outerwear? We’ve found 10 unique laptop sleeves that will add some style and get people talking.
5 Open Data Apps That Are Improving Our Cities
Here are five civic-minded apps based on the Open311 API that can help you help your city, one tweet at a time.

For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Business

Why Social Media Monitoring Tools Are About to Get Smarter
For a long time, social monitoring has been about tracking keywords. But recent advances have sparked an arms race in two fields: cluster analysis and semantic analysis.
5 Tips for Aspiring Copywriters and Art Directors
We’ve interviewed some of the top creatives in the advertising industry to get their advice on how to break into the business.
5 Key Benefits of Monitoring Your Client’s Brand on Social Media
If you’re wondering why you should invest in social media monitoring, consider these 5 advantages your business could glean from the process.
7 Steps to Measuring Your Brand’s Social Media Health
Its not enough to have and execute a social media policy. You need to be able to gauge its success, measure it, and see that it remains healthy and vibrant.
HOW TO: Make a Graceful Online Exit From Your Job
When it comes time to kiss your cubicle goodbye, you can scamper away or you can tie up digital loose ends and depart with dignity.
15 Excellent Corporate Blogs to Learn From
Although the act of blogging can be quite simple, forethought and planning must first go into the creation of a corporate blog in order to keep the processes running smoothly.

For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable’s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Reviews: Facebook, Foursquare, Internet, Mashable, Twitter, iPhone

More About: business, facebook, Facebook Places, Features Week In Review, List, Lists, Mobile 2.0, small business, social media, tech, technology, trend, trending, twitter, youtube

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Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, business, Business Lists, Channels, Facebook, Facebook Places, features, Features Week In Review, List, Lists, Mobile 2.0, Mobile Lists, search engine optimization, SEO, small business, social media, Social Media Lists, Social Networking, tech, technology, Trend, trending, Twitter, YouTube

Facebook Makes Its Pitch for Places [VIDEO]

August 20, 2010 By Ben Parr Leave a Comment

Facebook has posted its highly-polished promotional video for Facebook Places online; it’s a glimpse into how the company hopes users will utilize its new location service.

The world’s largest social network first played the two-and-a-half minute video at the beginning of Wednesday’s Facebook Places launch event. In the video, the Facebook team pitch the value of Places for enhancing everyday life. They cite examples of where Places can help connect friends or tell stories about what others did at places like the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a well-produced piece of work.

A lot has been said this week about Facebook’s new location product. Some believe that it spells big trouble for Foursquare, while others point to its potential impact on Yelp and countless local businesses.

We’ve embedded the video below. Let us know what you think of Facebook’s pitch for Places in the comments.

Reviews: Facebook, Yelp

More About: facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare, youtube

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Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare, News, search engine optimization, SEO, Social Networking, YouTube

Foursquare Experiences Record Signups After Launch of Facebook Places

August 20, 2010 By Ben Parr Leave a Comment

Foursquare is experiencing record interest in the wake of the launch of Facebook Places; on Wednesday, the location service broke its record for new user signups.

Facebook Places brings checkins and location broadcasting to Facebook’s massive 500 million user base. It’s the bread-and-butter of Foursquare, which has led to a lot of speculation over the future of Foursquare and the company’s next moves. Can it survive in the face of competition from a behemoth like Facebook?

At least for now, the answer seems to be yes. According to a tweet from Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley, the company had its “biggest day ever” for signups of new users on Wednesday. The surge in signups was probably due to the countless comparisons people are making between Facebook Places and Foursquare. With heightened media and user interest, it’s no wonder people are signing up to find out what this location thing is all about.

Record signups doesn’t mean the company’s in the clear, though. As the weeks and months pass and Places establishes itself as a service, we’ll get a better picture of whether Foursquare fend of Facebook’s advances and continue its rapid growth.

In an interview with Mashable, Crowley said that he believes Facebook and Foursquare serve two different purposes. “Facebook is about sharing experiences that you’ve had,” he said. “Foursquare is more about the present tense and the future tense.”

Foursquare is approaching 3 million users, but that’s still a drop in the bucket compared to Facebook’s 500+ million users. For Foursquare’s sake, let’s hope Crowley is right that the two services fulfill different purposes.

Reviews: Facebook, Foursquare, Mashable

More About: facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare

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Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: Blogging, Facebook, Facebook Places, foursquare, mashable, News, search engine optimization, SEO, Social Networking, Top Stories

Privacy Group Voices Concerns About Facebook Places

August 18, 2010 By Christina Warren Leave a Comment

Earlier this evening, Facebook formally announced its geolocation component, Facebook Places, and it has already sparked concerns from a major privacy advocate.

The ACLU of Northern California has issued its preliminary response to the features and is taking issue with the granularity and visibility of some of the new location-based user controls.

Tagging, a feature that has made Facebook Photos such a success, is a key part of Facebook Places. Just as you can tag friends in photos you find or upload, you will also be able to tag individuals when you check in at a new location.

But while Facebook makes it easy for users to allow their friends to check them in, the ACLU says that opting out of that feature is more difficult. For example, the feature lets users select a “not now” option when friends attempt to check them in, but not a “never” option to prevent friends from attempting to do so in the future. Further, if you’re already a Places user, friends can just check you in automatically.

The ACLU also takes issue with the “Here Now” feature, which displays users that have recently checked in at a given Place. The problem, according to the ACLU, is that this list is accessible to anyone else who is checked-in to the same place. The ACLU has already put together a resource page dedicated to helping users lock down more of their information.

It will likely take a few days of real world Facebook Places use to digest all of the privacy implications, but initially it seems that the biggest problem may not be with controlling what information an individual shares but what information others can share about them. Further, as the service becomes available and third-party apps start to work with the APIs, we’ll get a better idea of what this all really means.

Right now, the only thing that seems really clear is that no matter how much Facebook may want to skirt the privacy issues it faced this spring, the company likely to face some serious questions from its users with this new product. After all, the potential for a location-based social graph is enormous, but so too are the real-world opportunities for privacy breaches.

What are you early thoughts on Facebook Places and privacy? Do you feel like your personal information will be under your control? Let us know!

More About: aclu, facebook, Facebook Places, geolocation, privacy

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