Foursquare: Why it Will Not Be the Next Twitter
When I first heard about Foursquare I didn’t pay it much attention. In fact I ignored it. I brushed it off as another beta-max vs. VHS or Blu-ray vs. HD DVD war. I predicted (correctly by the way) the winners in those battles and Twitter already had a substantial lead. Why bother I thought. Then the media started “getting” Foursquare. Even Mashable started touting Foursquare as a Twitter contender. So I checked it out.
What I found was intriguing. Using a location-based game of tag (my word not theirs), Foursquare users offer tips and suggestions for locations, or “venues” they are visiting. Users gain points every time they “check-in” at a venue. If a user visits the same venue multiple times they may become “Mayor” of that venue.
I really like the tips and suggestions at venues. It’s a great way to use location-based technology. And, I get why Foursquare has users playing the game. Competition feeds interest. I get it. But it will not add up to Twitter-like success. And here’s why.
First of all you need to be living in a major city. Any new venues you may add to Foursquare must be tied to 1 of 21 cities (20 are in the United States). I expect more cities will be added, but that is not the point. When you walk down New York cities Broadway you pass several “venue worthy” locations. In rural [enter your country here] you may have 10 “venues” with-in 5 miles. 2 or 3 of which you want to be associated with. Is a shout out from the local McDonald’s to be expected?
In addition to Foursquare’s venue based system being a problem is their game. You are expected to be at the venue when you check-in. When I was in my 20s and 30s I did nothing but go to different venues. I was in the Navy at the time so my venues were international. I am no longer in my 30s. So though the family and I do go places now and then worth sharing. Pulling out my blackberry to check-in to Foursquare as I head home with take-out. Or sitting at the local bar and grill while my wife glares at me doesn’t appeal to me. And frankly. I am not that interested in reading tips from other people on the 11 local venues (7 if you don’t count the fast food joints). I know them pretty well.
Also, in order to participate in Foursquare, as Foursquare intends. An IPhone is a must. The only mobile application for Foursquare is available for the IPhone only. Sure you can login to Foursquare’s mobile web site to check-in. But the few who may do so will lose interest in playing the game after manually typing their location every time. I know one person around here that has an IPhone. Seriously. I am sure there are more but with Verizon being the only carrier around here with any decent coverage. There won’t be many.
So, though Foursquare may be making waves in major cities across America. I do not see them becoming the international sensation like Twitter.
Hi, first I want to say great blog. I don’t always agree with your posts but it’s always a interesting read.
Keep up the nice work.