Foursquare iOS Update Delivers Check-In Incentives

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Foursquare Check-InFoursquare on Wednesday launched an updated iOS app that offers incentives when users share their check-in insights on Facebook and Twitter.

In describing the new app update Foursquare says:

“Love checking in and seeing that you’ve passed your record for weeks in a row at the gym? Now we’ve made it easier to share the insights you see after you check in on Twitter, Facebook, and more. Just tap the share button to show off your 30-week gym streak, an awesome special that you unlocked, or a great tip from a friend.”

When a user checks in they are shown how many similar businesses they have checked into recently and now data from their account can be shared with a users social networks.  [Read more…]

Foursquare Prepares Ad Retargeting And In-App Ads

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Foursquare AdsFoursquare has been shifting its platform lately in an attempt to realign itself as a Yelp web 3.0 of sorts, and on Monday the company rolled out ad retargeting and in-app ads support.

The company is currently seeking out advertisers who want to re-target ads to Web users based on their check-ins and to serve up interstitial ads via the Foursquare mobile apps platforms.

Foursquare has had a hard time raising money lately, relying on a funding round based around loans instead of outright investments. Many analysts have questioned whether or not the Foursquare business model is feasible.

Under the new system, users who check into stores might see a pop-up for that store’s products immediately upon check-in. Users might then see the same or similar ads the next time they are sitting at their desktop or using their notebook.  [Read more…]

Foursquare Possibly Switching Focus From Check-In To API Data

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Foursquare dataFoursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley believes the company can survive in the local search business by pulling in API data from third-party developers who use the company’s platform to generate location based data.

Speaking at a keynote presentation at South by Southwest Crowley explained:

“If people think it’s all about mayorships, that muddles the story. We’re starting to put a lot of that stuff in the background.”

Foursquare currently provides its API to more than 40,000 developers who utilize the company’s 50 million points of interest.

Among Foursquare’s users are the Twitter-owned Vine, Facebook’s Instagram and mobile network Path. [Read more…]

Foursquare ‘Explore’ Feature Now Available For Non-Members

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Foursquare MapsFoursquare is expanding its Explore feature to non-members.

A new link button via the Foursquare Web service allows members to share a link to venue pages for people who do not use Foursquare.

The mobile app rolled out a button for the service in early February, priming the platform for further expansion.

The new feature generates a URL that can be accessed without logging into Foursquare.

Many analysts have complained that Foursquare needs to expand its service to survive an onslaught on competition. By allowing non-members to access venue information the company could become a more capable open ratings and local search platform. [Read more…]

Foursquare Loses Product Manager To Flipboard

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Christen DuongFoursquare has lost product manager Christen Duong. After two years with the company she announced plans to move from New York City to San Francisco. Christen is making the move so she can join another starup, Flipboard.

Christen was a fast moving achiever for Foursquare, over her short time with the company she helped roll out a completely redesigned mobile app. She also helped role out the Explore tab for discovering new venues and helped in the development of contextual pages that show tips from friends alongside pictures they post.

Just as she did at Foursquare Duong will help Flipboard develop better content discovery methodologies for its various publishing partners.  [Read more…]