Facebook launches Places

Tonight, Facebook announced the launch of Places. This is another step in providing functionality that allows Facebook users to share stuff relevant to their location. This need has been enabled by the growing number of Facebook users who own GPS enabled smartphones and use these devices to access Facebook regularly. Innovation is this space has been driven by services such as Foursquare, BrightKite and Gowalla. At launch the key new feature that users will see is the ability to  “Check-In”, which means you’re saying “Hey I’m at this location”, this will be broadcast much the same as a status update.

A number of key themes are emerging in the reaction to the launch.

1. Privacy – this feature, and its perceived privacy issues add to the continued discussion and concern around Facebook and its handling of privacy
2. Local – local is big, its a growing source of discussion, technologies and investment. Facebook with its massive audience, is the 500lb gorilla in the room in many digital arenas, local is no different. Its entry is going to help bring Gowalla & Foursquare type functionality and usefulness to a much broader audience. How other players sit alongside Facebook will be interesting to watch.* Importantly for marketers this will bring this exciting space to maturity faster.

*Gowalla & Foursquare where present at Facebook HQ for the announcement and are partnering with Facebook in the Places product.

Features Include:

1. Check into a location
2. Tag a friend at a location
3. See people who are at the same location (people are displayed for a limited time period)
4. Read comments from friends who have been to a location before