Comments on: Four Reasons Why People Hate Foursquare, And Why They’re Wrong

By: 1918

1918 — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:28:08 +0000

So it's not Foursquare you dislike, it's your 'friends' that use it that you dislike. I don't hate Facebook because of the Farmville updates, I just hate the Farmville updates

By: Janey

Janey — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:15:57 +0000

“How many times in the old days did you say to a friend, “oh, I was downtown last night too, I wish I knew you were at The Pit”.”
Very rarely. But Foursquare has become more annoying than anything, and is all but useless outside of major metropolitan areas. It's even more annoying when the user has it set up to blast out updates to every other social networking site on the planet. *THAT* is what annoys people.

By: Dan London

Dan London — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:14:34 +0000

I messed around with foursquare and now gowalla, but unless I have some value, I don't know if i'll continue. I have found Twitter to provide amazing value to myself and my company, so i'll continue to use that form of social media. If a “hyper-local” social media medium can do the same, then i'll continue to “check-in”

I think gowalla does it better right now. The drop an item feature is PERFECT for businesses to utilize for offers, etc.

By: torchio

torchio — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:34:10 +0000

Dan,
Totally agree with you on this one. Until businesses jump on board, most people's log ins will be sporadic at best. There needs to be incentive to log in in order for it to really take off. This could be as simple as foursquare partnering with businesses to give discounts to those who check in and broadcast their location, or as involved as having a special “mayor” room at a club or free drinks at a bar.

On a final note, I don't log into my own house but I do enjoy checking into my friends' houses and leaving tips like, “you should really lock your doors at night…”

By: lilmissjen

lilmissjen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:26:50 +0000

I check in at home because I live in a high-rise, but I suppose someone's house would only serve the purpose of running up points for them. Abusers! The icon to signify that you're at home is an awesome idea. I wonder why no-one's got that up and running yet.

By: lilmissjen

lilmissjen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:09:56 +0000

I'm so glad to hear that you liked it! And yes – agree to agree, as I am totally guilty of having mayorship battles. It's a good feeling to be the mayor of your favorite spot, almost like a little personal reward. But, all silliness aside, I am glad to hear you're on board.

By: Dan London

Dan London — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:07:21 +0000

The key for these applications is getting businesses to add value. I've been messing around with Gowalla/foursquare, but none of the businesses around where I usually am offer me any additional value through either "game". I have found some new places just by looking at where my friends are going (the Pit), but if the business actually gave me an incentive to come I might change my plans.

I'd love to see Gowalla use the "items" feature better. For example, a business gets an account and can seed their business with items. Each user who checks-in gets that item and can show it for 10% off. Even better would be that once a user checked in 5x, they received a special item for an 25% off.

What DOES bug me about these services...people who add their HOMES to the list. If i am in an area and really looking to see what is close by, and the list is filled with 3 residences, I miss out on some businesses that might be of interest to me. So, unless I can walk into somebody's house and get myself a beer and a snack, I don't see any value. I'd rather see a special icon attached to my friend's avatar when they are home..

By: lilmissjen

lilmissjen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:06:57 +0000

Thanks so much for your comment! I like that you brought up the online dating thing – all new innovation needs a chance to warm to the community, it seems. Also, thanks for YOUR wonderful post, and I hope you don't mind the link-love. I will be sure to ping you if I am ever in the area!

By: Morgan Siem

Morgan Siem — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:54:03 +0000

Jen - great post. You hit on all of the right points. What's funny is that considering how much I love the internet and all its savvy little apps, I was almost on board with those who think the location-based mobile apps can be a little creepy. That is, before I became obsessed with foursquare. The first week I started seeing people mark their location online (ahem, Phil Buckley aka @1918) I thought, well that's creepy. It's just fine for him, but no way no how will you get this young lady to disclose her location to a city of strangers. so. not. happening. But you're right - as with anything else, you simply have to be careful about what information you share about yourself and when. Checking in at a crowded restaurant is different than broadcasting that you're alone at a deserted gas station at night.

Further, I'm glad you made the point that this is a goldmine of information. It's another way to get your customers to endorse you, mention you and interact with you online. Whenever you have a customer in your store, don't you want them telling every one of their friends that they are in your store? Yes. You do.

And, even if it served no other purpose, it's at least fun to be called the mayor, right?

By: pfandrade

pfandrade — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:41:46 +0000

Still testing it. And dealing with mix feelings to approve or disprove but I believe in time location will be as common as air.