Foursquare has the potential to be the next big thing in social media. As a “newbie” to Foursquare, I am in awe of the idea and with over 750,000 users I’m not alone.
Foursquare brings social media into the real world. By “checking in” not only are users allowing their friends the ability to see their location, but users can also receive recommendations of places to go nearby.
Bringing this idea back to the University of Texas at Austin it would be used constantly on 6th street. Bar-hoppers would be able to find out what bars are having the best specials or what bar their friends are at, simply glancing at their phone.
However, I believe that this application has the capability to go beyond the mere convenience of meeting up with friends and into the realm of creating tribes. Let’s say, for example, you are traveling to San Francisco for the weekend, however, you have never been to San Francisco before and do not know the first thing to do there. Yet, your friend Steve, Mary and Sally frequent the Bay Area regularly and have “checked-in” numerous times during each of their trips. As a result of their “check-ins” you will be able to see what they enjoyed doing in San Francisco. Furthermore, because you are friends with them you have a very high likely hood of enjoying similar things.
Finally, the use of advertising on Foursquare is also quite fascinating. If users “check-in” enough times at the same location, they have the ability to become “mayors” and “mayors” have the ability to gain “freebies” (actual free stuff!) at these locations.
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