Facebook Offers now available to businesses across U.S.

Any U.S. business on Facebook can now run Offers on the social network - free of charge. The product competes with the likes of LivingSocial, Groupon and Google's feature that goes by the same name.

Unlike some of the above, Facebook will not be taking a cut of sales made via the platform.

The way it works is simple. When someone "Likes" a Facebook Page and becomes a Fan, they will see offers and updates in their newsfeed. Furthermore, when a Facebook Fan claims an Offer their network of friends will see an ad in their newsfeed and the action posted to the Offer user's Timeline. When someone clicks on an Offer, they can either redeem it straight from Facebook's mobile apps or receive it by email ready to be used in-store.

To see if your Facebook Page can now create Offers, look out for the yellow Offer icon at the top of your timeline.

The new feature could be a great way for businesses to better ascertain ROI on the social network and, while Facebook is not making money from the feature, could prompt more to use Facebook Ads.

Tags: coupons, Facebook, offers, promotions, social marketing, social media