No matter how you look at it, Foursquare is sexy and offers something that Facebook and Twitter do not. Foursquare is a Location-Based Service (LBS) that has been around since March of 2009 and has 1.3 million members already checking into it’s registered 
locations. This number, actually the growth, is incredible. it is comparable to a ten year span in US population growth where according to the US census, in the period from 1850 to 1860 our nation went from approx. 31 million to 39 million. Obviously I’m not comparing the actual numbers, but the growth throughout those years. If Foursquare remains as popular as it shows it can be, then the United States or for that matter the entire world becomes more than the third planet from the Sun … it becomes a giant game of check-ins, badges, points and specials growing and connecting and evolving into a massive social experience. This is why Foursquare offers something Facebook and Twitter do not … and that is what makes it one of the hottest girls in the Social Media classroom.
The most common response people have to Foursquare seems to be, “Why do I need to check-in places?” Well, why do people go on eBay and bid on items that they could go down the street and buy. Think about it, eBay is a game too. It’s fun to engage in competition against others and try to outbid them for a Polo Shirt or an Apple wireless mouse. It can be just as exciting to oust your friend or neighbor or even a stranger, as mayor at one of your favorite venues in Foursquare.
It’s all a game and games take us back to our childhood. Games bring out the competitive side in all of us. Accumulating points to be one of the top dogs in your area or in the country can be a total bragging point at your next get together with friends. Games take our minds off the things that stress us out in life, games are fun. Foursquare is fun.
There is no hard rhyme or reason for people to sign-up for Foursquare but people, and smart businesses are creating check-ins and specials for people to check into or add as a favorite. It’s surprising how gratifying it can be to earn a badge, but it is even sweeter to check into Ben & Jerry’s and receive three scoops of Vermont’s Finest for $3 just for checking in. Oh and if you’re the mayor let them know they’ll add another scoop for free. Now that’s hot!
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