Facebook recently launched a revamped Nearby section of its mobile apps, which includes a guide to restaurants and other local businesses that are ranked based on Likes from friends, check-ins, and similar social data.
The updates to the new iOS and Android apps include the ability to browse and search for local businesses, as well as share those businesses with Facebook friends.
When opening the Facebook mobile app, users can choose “Nearby” from the main menu, and then view a selection of local businesses based on their current location. Users can also choose categories such as restaurants if they are looking for a particular type of business.
The screenshots above show both the page where users can browse different local businesses, and the details they see when they select a business to view. When browsing businesses in the app, users can see the business name, type, location, which friends like the business on Facebook, and its rating out of five stars.
The business suggestions in the Nearby section can become more personalized to each users as they (and their Facebook friends) rate, recommend, and check into different locations.
The new features aren’t anything consumers haven’t seen before from services such as Foursquare and Yelp. But since Facebook has such massive collections of data from its users, both individuals and businesses, the app could offer advantages over such competitors.
And since so many consumers are already on Facebook constantly, it seems likely that many of these people will prefer to use Facebook’s Nearby features rather than opening up another mobile app to find local businesses and read reviews, especially since Facebook can offer recommendations from their actual friends and connections.
Because of these changes, it’s important for businesses on Facebook to keep all information such as category listing, location, hours, contact information, and other parts of the About section up to date in order to take advantage of the potential mobile app traffic.
The updated app just began rolling out to a small amount of users, and should be available to all users soon.
About Annie Pilon
Annie Pilon is a freelance writer specializing inmarketing, social media, and creative topics. When she’s not writing for her various freelance projects or her personal blog Wattlebird, she can be found exploring all that her home state of Michigan has to offer. 
[...] Small Business Trends Facebook Location Based Business Recommendations Small Business Trends When opening the Facebook mobile app, users can choose “Nearby” from the main menu, and then view a selection of local businesses based on their current… [...]
[...] Small Business Trends Facebook Location Based Business Recommendations Small Business Trends Facebook recently launched a revamped Nearby section of its mobile apps, which includes a guide to restaurants and other local businesses that are ranked… [...]
[...] Small Business Trends Facebook Location Based Business Recommendations Small Business Trends Facebook recently launched a revamped Nearby section of its mobile apps, which includes a guide to restaurants and other local businesses that are ranked… [...]
This is a cool app. There seems to be a new app coming out everyday. I wonder what they’ll come up with next.
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Just checked it out and it’s VERY cool. All SMBs need to have at least a basic Facebook presence or you’re missing out.
Facebook is working hard to become the one stop shop. Great addition. Small businesses need to maintain a Facebook presence
[...] Location-based social media apps can focus on followers in your area. Use these options to tempt them into your store. If someone uses FourSquare to check into a cafe down the street, you might send them a coupon for one of your services or products. Even if the person doesn’t take advantage of the offer, it still reminds her that your business is there and going strong. [...]