Understanding Facebook Check-Ins for Page Admins
UPDATE: Facebook has updated since this post was written. Admins are now able to engage more fully on check ins from users who use their page.
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You already know about likes and comments, and shares – the “big three” of Facebook engagement. But, are you familiar with Facebook “Check-Ins”? Watch our short video for a some basic understanding of Facebook Check-Ins and one idea for incentivizing them.
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How do users check-in?
Facebook users can find places nearby using the Facebook app on their smartphone. From your app menu, they tap Nearby Places to see a list of places nearby.
What’s the value of a Check-In?
Check-ins typically reach larger audiences than brand posts. Facebook limits the reach of posts from Pages, and as a result, a tiny percentage of audiences will actually see any given post. What makes Check-Ins unique is that they are technically a personal post from the user who checked-in, and tend to reach more of an audience. And, you guessed it, that check-in has your business name all over it. It’s a very useful form of free marketing on the part of a user.
How can Facebook Page Admins engage users who Check-In?
Unfortunately, we have bad news: admins cannot comment or like check-ins as their page like they normally can on typical Facebook posts on their timeline. And to make matters even more confusing, privacy settings active in certain Facebook users settings makes some check-ins invisible to the page. A smart way to engage this problem is to plan ahead and connect incentives to users to check-ins. For example, one of our clients, a BBQ Restaurant in Bracknell, England, decided to give free drinks to people who show Facebook Check-Ins on their smartphone to their waiter or waitress. The user benefits from a free drink, and the restaurant benefits from the increased brand-reach from the check-in.
Isn’t it beautiful?
Any other questions? Let us know in the comments.
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Comments (15)
So how does an admin see the check-ins? I know people are checking in however my insights only show a couple of them. How can I expose them or see them better? We’re a church and unfortunately don’t sell soda, but we may start to if thats the only option. LOL. Please help.
Im actually more interested in seeing a true metric of what is really happening. Not trying to respond to them or anything else, just actually know whats happening.
Hey Dave!
We understand… The first thing to know is where check ins are shown. Click to “Notifications” on your Facebook page. Then click “Activity”. From there, you’ll see the option to view “Check Ins”, alongside Reviews and more. A couple of notes. You need to have your Page Info filled out correctly for Check Ins to work best. Make sure your address is in there, etc.
Also, there are check ins out there that don’t show up due to privacy settings. It’s depends entirely on each person’s account privacy settings. Hope this helps!
– Joshua
Is there a way to view all check-ins within a certain time period? My Business page only lets me see the last 2 months or so of check-ins – I am interested in seeing the entire year’s worth of check-ins. Do you know if there’s a way to do this?
Thanks!
Hi Sammi!
Yes, you can export custom data tables within the Insights section when you’re a Facebook admin. Here’s a handy article about it. http://www.jasonhjh.com/consulting/beginner-tutorials/export-data-from-facebook-insights/
Hi Josh,
I am trying to run a check-in to win contest, but am having difficulty seeing all of the people who check-in on my business Facebook page…making the contest useless and very unfair. I understand this is a privacy settings issue for the Facebook users doing the checking-in. I have been scouring the internet trying to find an answer and it seems many people are having the same problem. Is there a way around this or do I just need to stop offering this contest due to this issue with Facebook?
Hi Kate! Unfortunately, there are privacy settings, set by users, that do make things difficult. But, to ensure you’re seeing all possible check-ins, go to your Facebook page, then click Notifications, then “Activity”. Then “Check Ins”. Hope this helps!
I manage my verified page, 1409. Friends have “liked” this page, and checked into this page, though check-in’s don’t appear on 1409, but they do appear on my friends pages when they check in at 1409. I’d like my friends check ins and pictures to appear on my 1409 page. All settings are correct, address is listed. How can I get friends check-ins to appear on my verify page?
https://www.facebook.com/jujubrignac/
Hi Julie! As far as we know, there is not a place where Check-Ins are public on your page, like Reviews, or Wall posts are. Hope this helps!
Hello,
Do you know how I can delete wrong checkins? I have a business page and someone did 33 checkins at my business page but it is the wrong city and country and the photos are not appropriate for my business. I cannot uncheck it or delete them. I tried to notify the person that did the check ins and he doesn’t respond…
I have the same problem…
I have the same issue; I would like to keep check-ins for my page but be able to delete/remove any inappropriate or incorrect check-ins.
I don’t even know how to view my page check-ins anymore. With the new layout change finally forced on me, I get a notification for a check-in but nothing happens when I click on it. Where did they go?
Having the same problem.
Someone is advertising his company by doing a lot of checkins with pictures.
Ha s anyone found a solution yet?
Any answer? Check ins on my page are often inappropriate and I cannot keep it from generating to my base through the check in
Same problem