Author | Chatmeter TeamDate Posted | December 21, 2018

Prepare your Local SEO strategies, Foursquare Gets a Facelift

In 2009 Foursquare launched as a check-in app, allowing users to share their locations, thus enticing businesses to incorporate the app into their online strategy. Over time the app split into two- Foursquare and Swarm, creating uncertainty, while losing once dedicated followers.

Today, the Foursquare mobile app would not even be recognizable to its original founders and is now serving as a great way to plan vacations and discover new attractions, while monitoring visits. The standalone Foursqaure app leans towards more of a local search and discovery tool than a check-in platform. Kerry Flynn created an in-depth guide on how to use the current Foursqaure app.

Below, we’re highlighting the Top 3 uses that Chatmeter feels will impact customers and businesses local SEO strategies.

1. Planning Trips

This app might just become your go-to for trip planning! Directly from your phone you can “Save” attractions and create lists using the “Add to List” function. Your lists can be shared with others via Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Following lists of other users while traveling is a great way to learn about hot spots.

2. Interactive Business Pages

This is of particular interest to businesses with physical retail locations. Not only does the app display business address, phone number and hours of operation, users can create and view “tips” about the business. These include detailed features of the business and recommendations of nearby places.

As a business, it’s import to claim your Foursquare page, or the app’s algorithm will generate business hours based upon user check-in history. Also, it doesn’t look appealing to inquiring customers when a nearby similar business has complete listing information while you don’t. Chatmeter creates a concise list of business pages which haven’t been claimed and need tending to.

3. Rate Places

Users can submit ratings of locations based upon the prompt, “Do you (the business)?” Depending upon the answer chosen, Foursquare will convert this text answer into a numerical rating. Foursquare encourages users to submit tips on their store experiences, which will gradually help users become experts and increase the visibility of their tips.

So, for those of you that thought Foursquare bit the dust, consider again! Providing the correct information to users improves visibility of your business, benefiting you and users alike!