So far the news is out in the US that Facebook has launched a Places service.  Most of the info coming out of Facebook’s own blog suggests that the new service is available for mobile phone users (including an Apple iPhone App) and also hints at the ‘check in feature’ common to sites like FourSquare.

At this stage, I seriously doubt that Facebook’s Places service will have any impact on Google’s service of the same name(Yes, in case you have not heard, Google’s Local Business Centre is now known as Place Pages or Places  – this was actually before Facebook even thought of theirs)

What are the differences
Google Places
Google Places is where a business owner can manage his or her businesse’s profile and detail that appears on Google Maps.  Here, users can also write reviews (good or bad) about the business in question.

Google Places or Place Pages or Google Local is the new ‘big thing’ in the world of SEO.  Ranking in the 7 pack for local search terms, can double or even tripple your traffic within a few short weeks.  It is a tool in any SEO specialists repertoire, and all of you out there should learn this like that back of your hand – if not better.

Facebook Places
Facebook Places is more similar to sites like FourSquare or Google’s simlar offering known as Latitude.  You visit a business and can ‘check-in’ to tell your friends where you are.  Becareful though, it may be possible to set the system on any of these sites/services to auto check in.  Not very good if you dont want people to know where you are (that’s coming from the spy in me )

Only time will tell if Facebook Places will allow business owners to manage their listings through a Facebook Account.  Here is hoping they do and allow it to intergrate seamlessly with Facebook Pages.  This will be good for everyone, possible even Google themselves.

Anyway, that is enough ranting for me for a Sunday night  -  Good nite everyone.