Posts Tagged ‘Facebook’
Facebook remembers what its users look like
Monday, July 11th, 2011
Facebook is coming under fire for a feature that uses facial recognition software to allow members to tag pictures of their friends on the social network.
The “Tag Suggestions” feature made its debut on Facebook in the United States six months ago but has drawn renewed attention this week after the social network began rolling it out to other countries.
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Facebook spam leads to Trojans traps
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
“WOW Now you can see who is looking at your profile!” – So or simular posts and events circulating now on Facebook in large numbers. Friends invite the users to use a feature to see who has visited their profiles. The goal of these messages is always the same: The receiver will click a link that lures in a trap.
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Chat with Facebook friends in Hotmail
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011Microsoft announced Monday that Facebook chat is now available to Hotmail users worldwide, wherever Facebook has a presence.
Microsoft first added Facebook chat to Hotmail back in September, but at that point it was only available in six regions. Several weeks ago, the feature went global via Windows Live Messenger, and it is now available everywhere via Hotmail, too. (more…)
Facebook Deals reach Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain and Canada
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Facebook Deals & Places
Facebook, the social network, is introducing its Places Deals service in several key European countries and Canada, allowing marketers to send tailored offers to mobile phone users. Places Deals, being launched in Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the UK, promotes discounts and incentives from retailers, restaurants and similar outlets to nearby Facebook members using wireless handsets.
It was unveiled in the US during November 2010, attracting organisations like H&M, Macy’s and Gap, and is accessible via iPhone, iTunes and Android apps. “The wisdom of friends has taken over from the wisdom of crowds, through a highly personal experience in the real world,” Emily White, Facebook’s director of local, told the Guardian.
“Facebook local enables users to take that Facebook identity out and about … Places is the ‘where’ to ‘what am I doing’ and ‘who am I with’. And it allows businesses to start joining the conversation.”
“Doing Deals does drive ‘liking’ of pages. Over time that relationship will become more explicit.”
In Germany leveraging this opportunity – which is currently available to clients for free – are Cinemaxx, Vapiano, Esprit, Benetton, Douglas, Gravis and the soccer club Bayern Munich. Benetton will donate €2 for every check-in to a technology center in Kenya.
According to Ian Maude, head of internet at research firm Enders Analysis, Facebook’s strategy should prove particularly profitable, as it merges the benefits of popular alternative properties. “This move is a no brainer for Facebook. Places Deals is a combination of Foursquare meets Groupon,” he said. “It is the company’s first major move into mobile, discounts and location based advertising. I think this has the potential to be a smash hit for them.”
But White suggested Facebook’s latest package is set to occupy an untapped position in the market. “I don’t think this will kill Groupon,” she said. “It is very different from Groupon’s offering today and takes advantage of the unique platform Facebook has. “We don’t want to kill Groupon, they have been an amazing partner on a number of fronts.”
The localisation of Facebook’s marketing services may also heighten its rivalry with Google, which has effectively monetised the long tail of advertising over recent years via search ads.
