Technology

Three interesting uses for Foursquare

The geo-location social network Foursquare is still combining impressive percentage growth in traffic with (especially in the UK) relatively low user figures.

If that percentage growth continues, it could break into the big time as Twitter has. But already there are some niches where it has a worthwhile audience, especially if you want to read digitally-connected (aka addicted) people who can be vocal online.

Three good examples to see how Foursquare can be put to use, both now and in the future, are:

  1. The Foreign Office – using Foursquare to give travelling tips at venues around the world.
  2. The White House / Barack Obama – using Foursquare to give extra online profile to his activities.
  3. The History Channel – raising its profile with historical tips at relevant venues.
Meanwhile, if you are a follower of my Pizza Express trips, I’ve created a Foursquare list that shows how this new functionality works.

5 responses to “Three interesting uses for Foursquare”

  1. The White House is interesting and could also be applied at local councillor level. It would be interesting to see which councillors check in for various meetings and which events they attend on official duty. I wasn't really looking at this from a big brother point of view but from one of engagement. Not many people really know what councillors actually do so if used in the right way this would help break down barriers between elected representatives and their electorate. Of course is a councillor failed to show up at any meetings this would also be highlighted.

    • That's cool – just looking at ways for which the role of a councillor could be publicised. A lot of people think it's an occasional meeting and pointing at potholes (if you're in The Focus) and for many they only see the reactive rather than the pro-active side.

    • Attending meetings is only a small part of a councillor role. I cannot get to all my designated meetings because I work full time and cannot get the time off. Councillors are more effective dealing with resident issues.

    • If you also set up Foursquare to push check-ins to Twitter and Facebook, then it can be a neat way of advertising the fact that you're been to local meetings, used local shops, visited local facilities etc – even if most of the audience for those updates comes via Twitter and Facebook.

  2. Welcome to Yorkshire (tourism body) have been doing good stuff for a while. Okay, so their tips won't be enough to bring you to the region on their own, but they add to your experience while you're there, and from their POV might extract more visitor spend from you! They've also got some good lists – like a real ale trail.

    Personally, I'd love to see the National Trust using Foursquare to highlight nearby venues, and also encourage members and others to visit multiple venues (possibly with a badge?). They already have a old media version of this with a Passport kids can buy and get 'stamped' in NT venues.

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