Most Facebook users relish sharing everything, from photos to their current locations. The process is called “checking in.” You can let Facebook know where you are using your phone or computer, and then others can look for you there or in a photo you posted. For private investigators, this feature\u00a0can be a dream come true. When you can track someone’s whereabouts in real-time\u00a0via their Facebook page, there’s no need to waste time knocking on doors. But how does it work? Let’s learn more about Facebook’s check-in feature.<\/p>
To check in on Facebook, you must first enable location services on your phone or computer and grant Facebook access to that location data. Open Facebook, make a new post and check in. Facebook will show you a list of nearby places. Select one, and it will be added to the post for publishing.<\/p>
So, what exactly is Facebook checking in? Nothing more than scribbling “Your Name was here,” except instead of leaving graffiti, you post the information on the world’s largest social media platform.<\/p>
A Facebook check in is a post that links to a specific location, such as a restaurant, museum, or ballpark, or a more general location, such as a town or city. While most people use Facebook check in to let others know where they’ve been, you can also use it as a more practical tool, checking in once you arrive somewhere to inform a large group trying to coordinate a meet-up, for example.<\/p>
In more extreme cases, a Facebook check in is a good way to quickly inform dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people of your location, possibly reassuring your own network that you are safe following a storm, wildfire, or terrorist attack.<\/p>
Just keep in mind that your check-in is likely to be seen by many people other than your immediate Facebook friends, so don’t share your physical location too casually.<\/p>
To use the Facebook app to check in:<\/p>
In addition to the check-in, you can add a message, tag other Facebook users who are present, and add a ‘feeling.’ On a check-in post, the other options will be unavailable. If you try to select one of them, the check-in will be lost. Before publishing, double-check that the post’s privacy settings are correct.<\/p>
On the Facebook website, the check-in process is very similar.<\/p>
If you later decide that you have overshared and want to delete a check-in, it is very simple to do so. It only takes a few mouse clicks or taps.<\/p>
Moving the post to the recycle bin keeps it there for 30 days, during which time it can still be viewed in your account settings’ Activity Log. If you really need to delete the check-in right now, you’ll need to go into your Activity Log and delete it there.<\/p>
The feature is dependent on your phone’s location services being turned on. Facebook cannot determine your location if you have disabled this feature.<\/p>
Yes, you have the option of making the post Friends Only. This is recommended for reasons of security and privacy. Burglars have been known to break into homes after seeing the owner’s public check-in on Facebook, indicating that they were elsewhere.<\/p>
Turning off location services available on both iOS and Android devices will disable automatic check-ins.<\/p>
On iOS, go to Settings, enter Location in the search bar, and then select Location > Facebook > Never. The process for Android may differ depending on the device. Navigate to Settings on your device, type Location into the search bar, and then select Location > Facebook > Permission > Location > Never. These measures will effectively prevent automatic check-ins.<\/p>
Yes, you can add check-ins to specific locations in Facebook’s About section. To do so, go to your Facebook profile, then to the About section, select Places lived, and then Add Current City, Add Hometown, or Add City. You can then enter the location where you want to check in.<\/p>