A method comprising: receiving a request at a wireless access point, from a client system to access a network through the wireless access point the wireless access point being operated by an entity; sending, by the wireless access point an identifier comprising a unique code that identifies the client system to a social-networking system, the social-networking system comprising at least one social graph, the social graph comprising a plurality of nodes (202, 204) and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes (202, 204), each of the edges between two of the nodes (202, 204) representing a relationship between the nodes (202, 204), wherein a first node of the plurality of nodes (202, 204) corresponds to the first user; receiving, at the wireless access point from the social-networking system a positive authorization determination based on the identifier, and providing the client system with access to the network through the wireless access point in accordance with the authorization determination; wherein the positive authorization is determined because a timeline associated with the first user indicates that the first user has previously checked in with the entity; wherein if a user has selected an automatic check-in option, the client system is automatically checked in when the user attempts to access the network via the wireless access point; wherein automatic check-in is performed in a manner that does not involve user interaction; wherein the timeline associated with a first user profile of the first user is updated in the social graph to indicate that the first user associated with the first user profile has checked in, via the social networking system, with the entity that operates the wireless access point; and wherein a subsequent automated check-in comprises, receiving, at the wireless access point, from the client system a cookie that is generated by the wireless access point and transmitted to the client system, and, when the wireless access point receives a request for check-in that includes the cookie, the wireless access point verifies the cookie and if the cookie is a valid cookie, the client system is checked in. receiving a request at a wireless access point, from a client system to access a network through the wireless access point the wireless access point being operated by an entity; sending, by the wireless access point an identifier comprising a unique code that identifies the client system to a social-networking system, the social-networking system comprising at least one social graph, the social graph comprising a plurality of nodes (202, 204) and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes (202, 204), each of the edges between two of the nodes (202, 204) representing a relationship between the nodes (202, 204), wherein a first node of the plurality of nodes (202, 204) corresponds to the first user; receiving, at the wireless access point from the social-networking system a positive authorization determination based on the identifier, and providing the client system with access to the network through the wireless access point in accordance with the authorization determination; wherein the positive authorization is determined because a timeline associated with the first user indicates that the first user has previously checked in with the entity; wherein if a user has selected an automatic check-in option, the client system is automatically checked in when the user attempts to access the network via the wireless access point; wherein automatic check-in is performed in a manner that does not involve user interaction; wherein the timeline associated with a first user profile of the first user is updated in the social graph to indicate that the first user associated with the first user profile has checked in, via the social networking system, with the entity that operates the wireless access point; and wherein a subsequent automated check-in comprises, receiving, at the wireless access point, from the client system a cookie that is generated by the wireless access point and transmitted to the client system, and, when the wireless access point receives a request for check-in that includes the cookie, the wireless access point verifies the cookie and if the cookie is a valid cookie, the client system is checked in.