What are Facebook Beacons and Place Tips?

Charlie Scholz - May 4, 2016

Have you ever walked into a store and received a personalized message or ad from that store on your phone? If the answer is yes, then you may have engaged with a beacon! Beacons are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for retailers and businesses to engage with their in-store customers and Facebook has wasted no time in offering a solution.

First, let’s take a step back. What is a beacon? A beacon is a device that emits a Bluetooth signal which can connect with devices (like a mobile phone) within a certain proximity. As long as a user has Bluetooth enabled and compatible applications on their device, they are eligible to receive messaging or personalized ads through a beacon. Think of it like a Wi-Fi router, except instead of connecting with a password, Bluetooth and your location are the requirements to connect. This system allows shoppers and customers the opportunity to interact on their devices during the in-store experience.

Facebook is leading the way with beacon technology on social media by offering free beacons to businesses. These beacons are extremely easy to set up and give businesses the opportunity to utilize Place Tips, which can provide the following to users within the beacon’s range:

• A custom welcome message or photo to greet customers
• Messages that prompt users to like your Facebook page and check-in
• Recent Posts from your Facebook page
• Recommendations, Posts and Photos about your Facebook page that friends have posted on the platform

While Facebook does not yet offer paid advertising that utilizes beacon technology, Place Tips are an excellent way to convert your business’ foot traffic into social engagement on Facebook.

Overall, beacon technology is continuing to grow and there are other platforms that can utilize the same technology for paid marketing campaigns. If capitalizing on beacon technology for your digital marketing efforts is of interest, our interactive advertising team has fantastic solutions that can be custom tailored for your business. Feel free to contact us today!