Checking out the check-ins

FACEBOOK fans have been “checking-in” since summer 2010, telling friends where they are.

Favourite places tend to be ordinary tourist attractions, sports venues and shopping areas. 

Most frequent check-in spots in 25 cities worldwide are seven sports stadiums, including – surprise, surprise – Barça’s Camp Nou – and six public parks, avenues and plazas.  

There are two amusement parks, two concert arenas and two shopping centres.

Shopping centres and malls are the most popular check-in places in 19 of the 25 cities.

Hard Rock Cafes in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Delhi each accumulate a record number of check-ins but in Norway the honour goes to TGI Friday.

Climate plays an important part: the warmer the climate, the more exterior check-ins.  In contrast six out of Moscow’s 10 most popular sites are bars and clubs.

Most check-ins are connected to shopping, food and sport and in Paris more people go to the Champs Elysees than the Eiffel Tower and in New York, the Natural Museum is more popular than the Metropolitan Museum. 

With Facebook users, that is.