At a press conference this week, Facebook announced plans to ramp up its physical location-based feature Facebook Places by adding a deal service that lets businesses notify nearby customers of discounts and other deals.

According to The Facebook Blog: “Starting today, local businesses will be able to offer you deals when you check in to their place on Facebook. Deals will be rolling out over the next few days and will only be available in the United States at this time. 

We launched to let you share where you are with your friends and see who's nearby. Now with Deals, you also can see what offers are nearby and share those deals with your friends…These deals come from merchants, not Facebook, so check with your local stores for additional details, such as when they're running, how many of the offers are available, and whether a deal is just for you or also for your friends.”

Deals range from discounts and free merchandise to charitable donations and loyalty points. Launched in August, Facebook Places lets users tell people about their favorite places, as well as share info on their current location and who they’re with in real time using a mobile device.

In addition, Facebook announced that Facebook Places will also be available on Google Android-based smartphones. To date, the company has recruited 22 partners including Macy's, American Eagle Outfitters, the Palms casino in Las Vegas, and the Gap to offer deals.

For example, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. announced that customers who check in at any American Eagle Outfitters, aerie or 77kids store will receive 20 percent off their entire purchase, simply by showing their phone to an associate at the cash-and-wrap counter.

"American Eagle Outfitters customers are avid users of Facebook, and they virtually always have a smartphone in their hands," said Mike Dupuis, vice president of digital marketing, American Eagle Outfitters. "Facebook Deals enables American Eagle Outfitters to offer our customers even more value, as well as strengthen their connection with our brand in their preferred mode of communication."