Facebook Places ready to march in

18 August 2010, 9:56am

Aug 12, 2010 - Facebook Places, the social network giant's location service, is set for launch within weeks, according to numerous reports this week.

CNet reports that Places will arrive initially as an application programming interface (API) for integration with other specialist location services. However, it appears likely that Facebook will also develop its own check-in features and position itself powerfully to compete with the Places services already offered by Google and Twitter.

Advertising industry analysts, including ad executive Dave Morgan, have suggested that local advertising may experience significant damage when it comes up against the presence of global players like Facebook in the tightening market for location-based services (LBS). Morgan doesn't believe the rapid growth of LBS will impact traditional mainstream media immediately, but he does expect services like Facebook Places to drain ad revenue from local newspapers, radio and journalism.
Recently there was talk that Facebook wanted to buy the current hot flavour in social networking, Foursquare, but backed off because of the asking price. Although the imminent launch of Facebook Places may outwardly look like an assault on Foursquare, quite the opposite is likely to apply as Facebook and Foursquare will collaborate - in the beginning, at any rate - in offering enhanced location services to their members. Other prominent social networks may not fare as well. Whatever else they may have to offer, none can compete with Facebook in sheer volume and clout.

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Geo: International