Check-in Leaderboard Launches for Facebook Places

Three weeks after the launch of Facebook Places comes the first of what should be many products that will enable merchants to reward their most loyal customers that use the social network's location-based check-in service.

Social marketing firm Context Optional has announced its customizable Facebook Places Check-In Leaderboard, with which visitors to retail stores, restaurants and other commercial establishments can claim ownership of those locations based on their number of visits. Consumers can climb the Leaderboard via specially designated categories such as High Roller and Shop-a-holic, and participating brands and retailers can reward them with discounts and other promotional offers based on their standings.

Context Optional is the first to offer such a product directly tied to Facebook Places, but with the popularity of location-based check-in services among consumers, combined with Facebook's half a billion active users, the benefits of this type of technology for merchants is significant. Marketers interested in creating a personalized ranking system for their Facebook Places pages can see how the new Check-In Leaderboard works or go directly to Context Optional for more information.