Distributing coupons to users of a social networking system using a newsfeed

A method comprising:

• receiving a post from an advertising user at a social networking system, the post comprising a coupon for redemption at a merchant establishment associated with the advertising user;
• generating a coupon story comprising the post with the coupon, the coupon story further comprising an option for claiming the coupon;
• sending a feed containing a plurality of stories for display to a viewing user of the social networking system, the feed comprising the coupon story;
• receiving a selection from the viewing user of the option for claiming the coupon;
• responsive to receiving the selection from the viewing user for claiming the coupon, sending information for redeeming the coupon to a credit card system, the transmitted information suitable for redeeming the coupon by the viewing user at a point of sale terminal at the merchant establishment;
• and
• sending a news story about the viewing user claiming the coupon in a feed of news stories to one or more other users of the social networking system who are connected to the viewing user.

A method comprising:

• receiving an offer from an advertiser at a social networking system, the offer redeemable at a merchant establishment associated with the advertiser;
• generating a coupon story comprising the offer, the coupon story further comprising an option for claiming the offer;
• sending the coupon story for display to a viewing user of the social networking system;
• receiving a selection from the viewing user of the option for claiming the offer;
• responsive to receiving the selection from the viewing user for claiming the offer, sending information for redeeming the offer to at least one of a device of the viewing user and a device associated with the merchant establishment, the transmitted information suitable for redeeming the offer by the viewing user at the merchant establishment;
• and
• sending a news story about the viewing user claiming the offer in a feed of news stories to one or more other users of the social networking system who are connected to the viewing user.