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Just Launched: The Game-changing Facebook Deals Application

Author's avatar By Danyl Bosomworth 04 Nov, 2010
Essential Essential topic

Yesterday, Facebook launched 'Deals' - a new application within Facebook's now updated iPhone app - it will let you find deals at nearby businesses. It's only available on iPhone for now, and only in the US until early next year.

Mashable explains that there are four types of deals: "Individual Deals (for discounts, free stuff or other rewards), Friend Deals (where you and a pal claim something together), Loyalty Deals (for the regulars) and Charity Deals (which allow you to donate to a cause)".

The concept is simple enough - users look for the yellow icon when they Check In using Places. You then click on the deal to claim it, and simply show it to the cashier to cash in. Deals that a user claims will also be shared on your Facebook News Feed, which will allow your friends to reap the same benefits should they want to.

Why game-changing?

  • It's big because Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's CEO, already shared that 200 Million Facebook users rely on mobile access to Facebook - so the reach is already there - the Facebook app is on the "vast majority of iPhones", Zuckerberg says
  • The Android Facebook app (currently poor compared to iPhone's version) is also about to be refreshed on with Places and Groups - this can only increase the reach that Facebook has with mobile users
  • There are already a lot of businesses (22 from what I can understand) signed up for the launch including GAP (who are giving away the 10,000 jeans to the first check ins) and McDonald's - so proof of concept will follow quickly
  • It certainly stirs up trouble for the founders in the geo-location space, Foursquare especially, since they don't have the reach that Facebook do, and brands will surely test new ideas for a mobile digital strategy where there's already reach

It's an exciting time. It will be fascinating to see how the pioneering US brands are going to make use of Facebook Deals, especially with the Christmas (sorry, 'Holiday) period coming up as well.

Author's avatar

By Danyl Bosomworth

Dan helped to co-found Smart Insights in 2010 and acted as Marketing Director until leaving in November 2014 to focus on his other role as Managing Director of First 10 Digital. His experience spans brand development and digital marketing, with roles both agency and client side for nearly 20 years. Creative, passionate and focussed, his goal is on commercial success whilst increasing brand equity through effective integration and remembering that marketing is about real people. Dan's interests and recent experience span digital strategy, social media, and eCRM. You can learn more about Dan's background here Linked In.

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