SearchInfluence

Oh, foursquare! I can’t decide whether I want to dump you or go steady by offering you my class ring to wear around your neck. With Facebook jumping on the location-based check in craze, it’s just easier to do it on the app I use constantly as opposed to the one I only use when I go to the grocery store or Super Cuts. The only problem is- and my wife can attest to this- I have an absolutely horrid memory. The pile of dishes that still tower in my sink is proof. I can only remember to use the feature sporadically.

Is foursquare is more than just a game?

In attempts to drive more users and create revenue opportunities, foursquare has added comments and photos to their interface. This is a huge development for foursquare, which previously relied on Twitter and Facebook to be truly useful. However, is it too late? I’ve always seen foursquare, a location-based social networking site for mobile devices, as the adult version of Pokemon. The same principle that Nintendo follows with its “gotta catch ‘em all” tag-line is the basis of foursquare’s success. Sure collecting badge and becoming the mayor of your favorite establishments is fun (I am the mayor of several Uptown New Orleans bars), but there has to be more than that or the game get old fast. The addition of images and comments allows more options than just telling absolute strangers (and employers) what establishments you visit, it also gives new depth to foursquare that it was previously missing.

We’d like to congratulate the winner, chosen at random, from our respondents to the first-ever Foursquare advertiser study.

Environmental Education Programs - The Urban Ecology Center

In order to be completely fair, we picked the entry at the halfway point (#65 of 130 respondents). And the lucky winner was Jeff McAvoy of the Urban Ecology Center.

Social Media Widget

The Urban Ecology Center offers Environmental Education Programs for Milwaukee residents in two Milwaukee County parks. These guys are clearly very social media savvy with a presence on Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn and an email list.

It looks like Facebook isn’t going to take Google’s attack lying down, and they’ve got Foursquare in their sights as well. They’ve just announced a new mobile application called Places, which allows users to check-in at various businesses they visit. Businesses can also claim their listings and post additional information. Does all this sound familiar? It’s essentially nothing more than a combination of Google Places and Foursquare.

We’re back with another thrilling installment of our bi-monthly series: Top 10 for the Weekend! Keep reading to find out tips and tricks, as well as what’s new in the world of SEO

Great Apps to Customize Your Facebook Fan Page

Facebook recently hit a new milestone: 500 million users! With this high volume it is a perfect platform for marketing, and people are already taking advantage of this opportunity. Here is a list of great apps that allow you to customize your fan page to its fullest potential.

Last night I was ousted as Foursquare mayor of my new favorite watering hole by the owner.  Is this fair?

I think not. The red flag that popped in my head when I got the news via e-mail was not that my pride was hurt by losing my title, but that this is likely an issue across the board for Foursquare advertisers.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of Foursquare or would like more information about how to conduct local business marketing on Foursquare, check out our previous blog post on the subject. The basic gist of mayorship is that a Foursquare user becomes mayor of an establishment by “checking in” more than anyone else in the previous 60 days.