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News about Foursquare has been pretty bleak lately. I tried using it to find restaurants but their search results page was a disaster on mobile: tiny text and i

by graue 14y ago

News about Foursquare has been pretty bleak lately. I tried using it to find restaurants but their search results page was a disaster on mobile: tiny text and it wouldn't allow zooming in. They just updated the Android app but it has a bunch of reviews along the lines of "doesn't work": https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joelapenna.foursquared&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joelapenna... All this when they apparently have only 20M users, which seems low for how long they've been around. Any HNers with an optimistic view, and/or use Foursquare and think it's awesome?

tarr11 14y ago
Funny, I re-started using it again last year after ignoring it for several years. I've noticed I get lots of little freebies when I check in via foursquare. Ie., $5-$10 off a meal if i use my amex, a free dessert etc. Lots of local businesses seem to have these hidden deals but they don't publicise them.
- pavel_lishin 14y ago
  I think the Foursquare app lets you see nearby businesses that have specials.
jspthrowaway2 14y ago
> only 20M users "Only" 20 million users? "Only"? The HN commentary is an interesting place these days.
- hnriot 14y ago
  Once (a couple years ago) I'd see foursquare stickers and offers of discounts for checking in and people would use it, but I don't know any of those 20M anymore - within my world (SF, SOMA) foursquare seems to have dropped off the map.
  - graue 14y ago
    Right, that's my thinking... based on how much I used to hear about Foursquare years ago, I would think they'd have more users by now if they're on a path to success. When I looked at some business reviews on Foursquare (while traveling— was in Washington, DC area) it was disconcerting how a large majority of reviews seemed to be from 2009-10.
doctoboggan 14y ago
I use Foursquare whenever I travel. I find it especially useful when I am in a new airport. I can usually get information of the best security lines, best places to eat, where outlets and wifi are, etc. If you read HN then you understand the benefit of reading users comments after you read an article. Foursquare lets you read users comments while you are visiting a location. However I am not sure if/how this translates to profitability so I am not speaking to that end.
glenntzke 14y ago
I use it fairly religiously and love it. I like the nearby updates for adhoc meetings with friends and - because close friends of mine also use it - it provides a nice way to estimate full party arrival. And it has a lot of Amex $5 off deals. I've probably saved $100 on those. I also use it to find nearby pubs and such when in unfamiliar cities. And, of course, I still like earning new badges. edit for additional note: If you have friends that use it heavily while on tours it is fun to track their travels. Follow an entire band or tv crew on tour and get anecdotes from different personalities live updated as they travel - it's like a real reality show in small doses.
- cmjnelson 14y ago
  If you like the savings from check ins, have a look at our connected app, GeoPerks (http://4sq.com/Q8uIW3 http://4sq.com/Q8uIW3). You get replies to checkins at venues where you have membership discounts and rewards (e.g. AAA, museum memberships, student discounts, etc.).

by graue 14y ago

tarr11 14y ago

Funny, I re-started using it again last year after ignoring it for several years. I've noticed I get lots of little freebies when I check in via foursquare. Ie., $5-$10 off a meal if i use my amex, a free dessert etc. Lots of local businesses seem to have these hidden deals but they don't publicise them.

pavel_lishin 14y ago
I think the Foursquare app lets you see nearby businesses that have specials.

jspthrowaway2 14y ago

> only 20M users "Only" 20 million users? "Only"? The HN commentary is an interesting place these days.

hnriot 14y ago
Once (a couple years ago) I'd see foursquare stickers and offers of discounts for checking in and people would use it, but I don't know any of those 20M anymore - within my world (SF, SOMA) foursquare seems to have dropped off the map.
- graue 14y ago
  Right, that's my thinking... based on how much I used to hear about Foursquare years ago, I would think they'd have more users by now if they're on a path to success. When I looked at some business reviews on Foursquare (while traveling— was in Washington, DC area) it was disconcerting how a large majority of reviews seemed to be from 2009-10.

doctoboggan 14y ago

I use Foursquare whenever I travel. I find it especially useful when I am in a new airport. I can usually get information of the best security lines, best places to eat, where outlets and wifi are, etc. If you read HN then you understand the benefit of reading users comments after you read an article. Foursquare lets you read users comments while you are visiting a location. However I am not sure if/how this translates to profitability so I am not speaking to that end.

glenntzke 14y ago

I use it fairly religiously and love it. I like the nearby updates for adhoc meetings with friends and - because close friends of mine also use it - it provides a nice way to estimate full party arrival. And it has a lot of Amex $5 off deals. I've probably saved $100 on those. I also use it to find nearby pubs and such when in unfamiliar cities. And, of course, I still like earning new badges. edit for additional note: If you have friends that use it heavily while on tours it is fun to track their travels. Follow an entire band or tv crew on tour and get anecdotes from different personalities live updated as they travel - it's like a real reality show in small doses.

cmjnelson 14y ago
If you like the savings from check ins, have a look at our connected app, GeoPerks (http://4sq.com/Q8uIW3 http://4sq.com/Q8uIW3). You get replies to checkins at venues where you have membership discounts and rewards (e.g. AAA, museum memberships, student discounts, etc.).