What is this Foursquare?
Before I was a very curious why some people I follow in twitter are sending too many tweets about Foursquare. So I tried it out and I got hooked. And now I find this foursquare as so much fun.
In the tradition of my free six video, my six free cafe world cheats, my six hotel city cheats, my six tagalog love quotes, my six Starcraft 2 crack post, here are six information and insights on Foursquare:
1. What is Foursquare?
Foursquare is a location based social networking site + mobile application + fun game all rolled into one. Users tell Foursquare where they are by doing a “check in” to their venue via SMS messaging, mobile application or via web. By checking in users earn points, credits and other rewards. In Foursquare, you can see who among your foursquare friends are in the same city, etc.
2.What are Foursquare Badges?
Foursquare badges are the rewards given to foursquare users upon completing some task or achievement. They are displayed on the user profile so its some sort of a status symbol. Some foursquare badges are easy to acquire (like the newbie badge) and some foursquare badges are very challenging. I’m new to foursquare and I consider myself as a moderate user and I have 9 foursquare badges so far:
Some of my friends have 20+ to 30+ badges 🙂
3. Why do I see a lot of Foursquare and 4sq.com links in Twitter and Facebook?
Foursquare is well integrated with Facebook and Twitter and foursquare user can opt to display their foursquare activity in twitter tweets and Facebook status updates. 4sq.com is the shortened link for the foursquare venues.
4. What mobile platforms support Foursquare?
Foursquare applications are available for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry and other popular mobile platforms (like Nokia S60).
(image courtesy of Foursquare)
Users can also check in the venues via their mobile phone and desktop if they have Internet access.
5. What is a Foursquare Mayor?
The user who has been to the venue the most (the most numbers of check-ins) will become the Mayor of that Foursquare venue.
Foursquare support explains the Foursquare Mayorship in their help page:
We calculate mayorships based on the most *days* with check-ins in the past 60 days (so 2 check-ins to the same place in one day just count 1x). Look out though – if someone else comes along who has checked in more days than you, they will steal the “Mayor” title back from you.
For foursquare fanatics the battle for Foursquare mayorship is the heart of the challenge especially for a well-known and well-frequented venue.
6. Is that all for Foursquare?
Foursquare is also for Businesses (those managing the venue). I am not well versed on the business model and other business stuff but I think this is worth looking into (as I see big brands in the US making use of this feature). I suggest that businesses explore this by trying out foursquare first and checking out their Foursquare for businesses page.
Visit the foursquare site for more info.
On the Philippines scene, I believe Foursquare is gaining ground. I saw some Starbucks badges from my pinoy tweeps and 2 biggie mobile phone providers added me as their foursquare friends recently J
Lastly, Foursquare is social networking site and just like other social networking sites, there are some associated risk in sharing too much information. I’d like to discuss this more on detail but that may be worth another post in the future.
Hope you liked my foursquare post.
Feel free to share some Foursquare experience in the comment section.