By now, many users on Facebook are familiar with status updates concerning where a friend has “checked in” to or where they’ve been. For those still in the dark, the clever folks at Foursquare are behind those location updates that inform you where so and so is, and doing what. More recently, Foursquare has been unveiling various updates and features to their ingenious social media application. For those not following Foursquare or are new to it, we’ve compiled some interesting and useful features.
1. Foursquare API v.2
For those app developers out there, Foursquare has recently released an updated version of their API (that’s Application Platform Interface). While I can’t exactly explain in detail the benefits of these updates, I’m sure my comp sci/programming friends out there will appreciate them.
- OAuth2 is much easier to use, more secure for users, and can even be used entirely from client-side Javascript
- By dropping XML support, we’ve been able to make the server more responsive (but not 1000x faster; sorry)
- There’s extensive documentation that includes sample applications and an API explorer
- A lot of work was put into consistency and clarity
- And last but not least, we’ve added oft-requested new endpoints for fetching user’s badges, user’s venue histories, and venue popularity
2. New Badges!
What good are badges?
In addition to location updates, Foursquare users may also familiar with these “rewards” updates, also known as “badges.” The badges are given out when an individual completes certain tasks and allows them to display them as trophies. The purpose of badges is to encourage people to get out and do productive tasks, whether that be exercising, voting, or donate blood. Although it may seem trivial, it’s been proven to work. For video gamers, this feature is nothing new. Gamers have been enticed to play and complete in-game challenges to achieve trophies. Some challenges have gamers ripping their hairs out to complete them. “100 kills without dying”?! Sound absurd? A little. So what do users get out of it? Only 100% game completion, a trophy, and possibly a global ranking. That update or “bing” sound to your dashboard can become a suprising obsession.There’s no real world incentive, other than bragging rights. However, Foursquare is changing the game.
The Future of Foursquare Badges
Although badges may seem small at the moment, their benefits for social media marketing are beginning to take off. Companies are now integrating Foursquare badges with real world incentives, giving out things, such as gift certificates and coupons for “check ins.” It is plausible to foresee more companies jumping on the band wagon, using badges for viral marketing purposes, such as scavenger hunts, contests, or social events to create physical traffic. This would create a stream of status updates and create massive exposure for companies. Again, it is a fun social feature that allows companies to increase their brand presence and attract the curiosity of tech savvy consumers.
Here are some recently added badges:
- Dog’s Best Friend – for frequenting dog parks
- Great Outdoors – for getting out to parks to breathe in some fresh air
- Swimmies – for the aquatic minded
- 9 to 5 – for those of us in the weekly grind
- Hangover – we’re not encouraging hangovers, but are happy to salute people who keep on trucking!
- Ski Bum – to commemorate your trips up the mountain
Now get out there and earn your badges!
3. Upcoming Photo Share feature
Although a photo share feature isn’t currently available, it is speculated and reportedly coming. A leaked picture reveals that the photo feature is in development and possibly in beta at the moment. With the majority of updates streaming from high tech mobile devices with camera features, it seems to be a given.
With such a visual generation today, photo sharing is crucial. Capturing a screen shot of your favorite foods/restaurants/locations is a great way to attract consumers. Integrating this with the badges feature and possibly an advanced visual recognition feature, would be great and interesting additions. Rewarding individuals with badges and discounts for photo sharing could have massive appeal
Written by Daniel T.