UPDATE: Since I wrote the article below, I’ve fallen away from using Foursquare as much as I used to. I decided to re-download it to my phone to see how it’s changed.

The main difference is that it’s been divided into Foursquare City Guide and Foursquare Swarm. The former is a direct rival to Yelp!, with a search by category function, ratings, tips, and check ins. The Swarm version is where the gaming lives—badges, becoming Mayor, etc.

I already have so many apps on my phone, that I hesitate to add Foursquare Swarm. I’d much rather check in and post reviews than get deals on places. I’m not sure why that’s changed from when I used it years ago, but it has. Or maybe that’s my justification for not downloading the Swarm version as well.

What do you think about these two versions of Foursquare? Let me know in the comments.

In the meantime, here’s the original article—back when I longed to be Mayor of anything, even my local gas station. 

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Last week I was at Metropolis at Metrotown, and realized…what a fantastic way to grow my Foursquare check-in points like crazy! When I checked in at a store I found this really cool special deal…look right>>

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I admit, I used to think Foursquare was kind of lame. My phone was mainly for email and actually PHONING PEOPLE, and taking the time to check in everywhere seemed so tiring. But then I met a couple people who were using it, and as I was about to give a client some social media advice, I thought I’d better check it out.

Oh my goodness—HOOKED!

Foursquare and specials

As a user, I’m more driven to out-point my friends/competitors, but I really enjoy seeing the deals or offers businesses put together.

• Metropolis at Metrotown—As in the image above, if you become mayor of one of the trillion businesses in Metrotown (my abbreviation) you can get a $10 certificate for the mall. This definitely made me visit more stores, until I figured out that I’d need too many more days to actually become mayor. Sad face.

• Starbucks & (RED)—A three-day offer to donate $1 to AIDS charity called (RED)RUSH to Zero, which ended last week. I loved this, and purposefully went back in the timeframe to participate.

• Purdy’s Newbie offer—A Purdy’s shop in Burnaby offered a chocolate to a first-time Foursquare check-in. Decent, I say!

I’m interested in working with one of my clients to use Foursquare in an interesting way, especially if it can be tied in to charitable or community giving.

If your business or employer has used Foursquare in this way, please let me know in the comments. I’d love to learn more, and possibly give your business/charity a tiny bit more exposure.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]