Who’s Checking In?
January 1st 2011 -
Over the last year we’ve joined networks like Foursquare, checked in, fought over mayorships, tried Facebook Places and… just as fast as we began, it seems that we’ve given up. I know I have. Although Foursquare announced that it hit 5 million users in December 2010, I find it hard to believe that 5 million people are actually checking in on a daily basis. According to their recent report, Foursquare now receives 2 million check-ins per day and the average user checks in 3 – 4 times a day, that leaves them with about 500,000 daily active users. I know in my personal twitter network of about 3,500 people that Foursquare check-ins have dwindled (hardly see more than 2 a day now) and I really never see Facebook Places check-ins in my stream. What interests me is why we (I guess I’m talking about social network early adapters) have given up on location based social networks.
Lack of Benefits
Foursquare makes creating promotions very easy and it’s free! So why aren’t more businesses taking advantage? Out of the places I check-in at on a regular basis, not a single one offers a Foursquare promotion. While I don’t expect banks and gas stations to create promotions (although a free gallon of gas would be amazing if you ask me) you’d think that grocery stores and chain restaurants would take more advantage. One of the only places that I’ve received a Foursquare promotion is at Kafe Neo in Long Beach, CA where they offered a free latte upon first check-in. I know that if my grocery store of choice offered 5% off my purchases every 5 check-ins or a free gallon of milk upon my 3rd check in I’d be excited and I’d continue to shop there and check-in (thus promoting their business to my network).
Also, what does a badge do for you? I can’t help feeling like I’ve sold my soul to the devil when brands are sponsoring badges and I get nothing for it. Getting exclusive tips with the badge seems redundant, people leave tips at each location already and if you follow that brand on Facebook or Twitter, you’re probably getting these tips already. Presenting a badge for a discount or free sample, etc. is exciting but it’s hard to know what badges are available until you’ve acquired one or unless you do your homework – and who likes homework?!
Unattainable Goals
Recently Foursquare added a feature upon each check in. This new info tells the us how many more check-ins we’ll need before claiming the mayorship from someone else. At first I thought this was exciting since the majority of the check-ins I was making was because I wanted to steal the mayorship of the venue. Also, since none of the places offered promotions this is the most fun I’d get out of it. What I quickly realized is that with so many new users on Foursquare, reaching the goal soon seemed extremely unattainable. When I saw that I was 20 check-ins away from becoming the mayor of a location and every time I checked in I was that many check-in’s away from yet another person… the game wasn’t fun anymore. I saw no win in site and gave up.
Mobile App Errors
I’ve used the Foursquare App on my Blackberry Curve and it consistently freezes my phone. I’d say 50% of the time I can’t check-in on Foursquare without having to reset my phone by taking the battery out and putting it back in. This gets old very quickly. I’d love to hear how others find their Foursquare App on their phones. Additionally, I can’t get Facebook Places to allow me to check in from my Facebook App (and I’m pretty savvy so this is strange). Ease of use is definitely important and so these errors (I’m assuming are the App and not my phone) keep me from opening the app and bothering with it anymore.
Privacy
Social Networks are tricky in terms of staying up on the latest privacy and security settings. I realized one day while I was traveling that my phone number was visible on my Foursquare profile. I was getting text messages from someone I didn’t know and after some investigating, I realized that it was due to my Foursquare settings. I quickly changed my settings to hide my phone number however after that, I was extremely weary of connecting with strangers on Foursquare. Really, why would I connect with people I didn’t know and wasn’t already connected with on Twitter or Facebook? That began a strict screening process of those I connect with on Foursquare.
Lack of Regulation
From the beginning Foursquare has struggled to maintain their list of locations and weed out duplicates. With a small staff they rely on power users to filter through and delete duplicate locations. But this isn’t easy when any one of the 5 million users can add a venue in 5 seconds. How do you keep up? Foursquare needs to implement a way to pull up like named locations when people are adding venues or have a process of approving new locations. There’s nothing more frustrating than checking in at a location and eventually becoming the mayor to then find out that the same location has another profile on Foursquare and someone else is also the mayor. Also, your check-ins could be split between two different location profiles without you knowing it. This defeats the purpose of the check-ins and it dissuade users from wanting to participate.
So I ask you this: Are you using a location based social network? If you have recently stopped or slowed your use of these sites, what is your reason? I’d love to hear your feedback. If you are using one (or multiple) and enjoy it, let me know why!
Tags: facebook places, foursquare, geolocation, location based social network, location sharing
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Noelle Says:
January 2nd, 2011 at 9:32 am
I use foursquare on my bberry bol and like it. It sometimes has issues checking me in, or finding my location, but i just exit and then login again. You need to get a better phone, sister.
Also, my fave restaurant down your way has tried to contact, connect, or verify their info with the 4sq people and they’ve never been able to get a response. They want to offer a discount or something, and they cannot get any response. So, it’s not for lack of trying!! Small staff of 4sq be damned.
Just my 3 cents.
Allison Says:
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:17 am
Yes, my phone certainly could be upgraded
Thanks for your insight! Yes, if Foursquare could keep up with the needs of the users it would be much easier for everyone to benefit from the service.