It’s as if Yelp, Twitter, and Facebook “got together” and somehow had a baby – and they named it Foursquare. In our ever increasing hyper sharing of status updates society, Foursquare has been said by some to be the breakout hit of 2010.

The premise is simple (and, admittedly, a bit addicting): As you’re out and about, go to Foursquare on pretty much any mobile device to “check-in” as you arrive at your destination. Once checked-in, you can find out things like:

1. Who else is currently checked-in


2. Tips about the spot from others who have been there


3. How many total check-ins (and hence popularity)

The more you check-in the more you’re rewarded with social currency in the form of various badges -- and you can share your “virtual acquisitions” automatically on Twitter and Facebook.



And, of course, each location has a Mayor – the person who has checked-in to a given location the most.

[So why all of the hype?]

In addition to the obvious social implications, there are powerful opportunities for brands – some of which, like Pepsi, have already taken advantage of the service for sponsorship.


(Image Source: DPstyles Flickr Photostream

There are increasing numbers of local businesses who offer specials and discounts to Foursquare users understanding that each time a person checks-in, it’s free promotion for their establishment.



And last November, BART (The Bay Area Rapid Transit) partnered with Foursquare with a special BART-themed badge and contest.

It’s been under a year since the service was announced (at 2009’s SXSW) and it seems as though user-behavior and technology are primed, ripe and aligned going into 2010 for location-based services like Foursquare to scale for mass usage like we’ve already seen from Twitter and Facebook.

And now is a good time for brands to take advantage of some early “test and learn” opportunities with the service to establish a foothold within an almost certain-to-grow user base.

Mike originally posted this on his blog Harmonic Aftershock.