Foursquare is an interesting mash-up of location-based networking site, game and mobile application. Users "check in" at venues like restaurants, bars, offices or even their own home. The service notifies your friends where you are. The focus seems to be on helping people share their favourite spots and discover new ones in their given city. The website describes itself as an "urban mix tape". Checking in at various spots can earn users "badges". Visiting a spot more than anyone else will make you "Mayor" of that place. Many businesses are offering incentives like free food and drinks or discounts if you are the Mayor at that venue. Users can also add tips and advice about various venues, which are accessible when you log in.
Foursquare makes use of mobile technologies geolocation abilities in order to gather data about user's habits and favourite haunts. This simple, implicit method of gathering data is complimented by the encouragement of more explicit contributions by users by offering rewards in the form of badges and titles.
Of course, the site's usefulness is entirely dependent on its users. The more people checking in and placing tips at various sites, the more people will be inclined to use the system. Most of the tips and comments about venues seem to be available via http://fourwhere.com/, which does not require registration or log in. I can certainly see the attraction of a service that can recommend a restaurant or bar in the area. There are tips on favourite menu items, the kind of vibe of a venue, warnings for vegans.
In many ways I really like the idea of the site. Its kind of like a global grapevine, and I can see it being really helpful for small businesses who are doing really great things, but don't have the capital for advertising. Foursquare are also planning to release free analytics software for small businesses, so they can easily track their traffic and the information posted about their business. It will also allow business owners the ability to communicate directly with their customers via twitter. Users do have the option to keep their information private, thankfully.
However, what I find fascinating, and kind of disconcerting, is the use of badges as incentives. Are we so hungry for recognition and approval that people can be motivated by a .gif file? Maybe so.
Haiku
Broadcast where you are
every moment of the day
Win a fab new badge
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/foursquare-introduces-new-tools-for-businesses/
http://foursquare.com/learn_more
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Quite an interesting and informative blog, thanks Lachlan. I have not heard of Foursquare - I'm still new to web 2.0 technologies changing the way the web works. This would also be very useful for visitors to a city to discover, for example, where the best, non-tourist places of interest are, or if you're looking for friends in a new city!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your 'haiku'. Can you 'tanka' as well?
.gifs are a pretty big motivating factor. i obsessively event added on Librarything in order to get a little bronze .gif medal.
ReplyDeleteand, really, what is gaming if not winning exciting little gifs and images? and let's not forget that horrid, horrid time killer, ... NEOPETS.