Foursquare about to reach 1 million users
Foursquare has only been around for about a year and is already near the 1 million user mark. The future of reward technology?
Still classed as an internet start up, Foursquare is leading the way with its innovative approach to blending virtual and real life together.
Hugely popular in the United States, the service tracks a registered user's movement, through their mobile device, and identifies when a user 'checks in' to a local business or attraction.
How does it do this? Easy. Through the GPS component in a registered users smart phone.
The purpose is for friends to share where they are and inform others about the places they request. So essentially users 'check in' to locations to share where they are (so your friends may join you for example) and leave additional comments about the location itself (like a review).
Now it goes even further than this, there is a points/rewards system in place every time you 'check in'. As you 'check in' more often you earn more points, and badges, which help you discover more places and help for travelling to far way places.
Yes, it goes further still. If you are the most frequent visitor to a location you can become the mayor. Why become a mayor? Because with this title you can earn real life rewards, as well as some virtual rewards.
The more locations that start to reward loyalists, the more rewards are up for grabs. You can get anything from free coffee to free hotel rooms.
Rewards are not limited to mayors only, you can also redeem your virtual points for real life rewards as well. This of course is entirely dependent on the location itself.
Foursquare receives requests from an average of 100 establishments per hour about Foursquare specials.
The benefit for businesses is clear, you can increase your attendance through one of the most innovative reward programs available.
Oh, yes, and don't think that Facebook are doing nothing about this. Apparently they have something in the pipeline so keep an ear out for that little gem.
