F.A.Q.s
Frequently Asked Questions about foursquare.com
At QuarterSquare, we’re fascinated with the concept of foursquare. While we don’t necessarily think it’s among the easiest-to-use websites out there, it’s hard to deny foursquare.com has the potential of other popular social networking sites (such as Twitter, Facebook, and Yelp.)
To be fair to foursquare–and to give praise when we see something we like–the site is peppered with little ‘open-arms’ phrasing telling users that if they don’t see something they feel should be there to let them know! While our pages may reflect quite a bit a sarcasm (particularly when making references to quirks), make no mistake–we’re foursquare fans!
Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (with answers) about foursquare.com:
- How the heck do I “check-in” from my computer?
- What’s the point of foursquare?
- More points make me feel good! How many points do I earn for what?
- What good are all these points I’m accumulating good for?
- What’s up the mayorship-stuff?
- How do I earn badges?
- What does foursquare do with my information?
- Who’re the major investors in foursquare?
- What areas can I play foursquare in?
- What types of places do I want to Check In at?
- What types of places do I probably not want to check in at?)
- What’s are “tips” & “to-dos”?
- I want to give foursquare a piece of my mind! How can I contact them?
- How do I get more friends on foursquare?
- Can’t I just cheat about the visits I’ve made?
I just registered my foursquare.com account on my notebook computer.
How the heck do I “check-in” from the coffeeshop I’m at? … I don’t see a place to do that!
This is a tricky one; don’t feel bad for not finding where to “Check-In” from the foursquare.com website… (we couldn’t find it, either!) As far as we could tell, there’s NOT a way to check-in from the website you may have just registered on. (“Seriously?” you ask? Yes.. Seriously. We checked out the help page on foursquare.com a number of times…) Maybe we’re just not squinting hard enough!
What’s the point of foursquare?
Haha…if only I had a dollar for every time I described the site to someone new! foursquare allows you to ‘check in’ from wherever you go, letting your foursquare friends know where you are–should you want to rendezvous. The site doesn’t require you to check in (which would be ridiculous), but it does reward players (with “mayorships” and “badges“) for being a frequent visitor.
And, while many areas may not yet have a long list of businesses offering special “mayoral” deals, it seems to be a growing trend. (In fact, Mashable has published an article on a few well-known brands mastering the game of foursquare“–including Wynn Las Vegas, Lucky Magazine, and Starbucks.)
One other benefit of users’ checking in: trending. A more recent feature of foursquare, “trending” allows users to see where others have been checking in…so, if you’re wondering “Where ‘da party at?” Don’t ask me… check your mobile!
More points make me feel good! How many points do I earn for what?
Here’s a breakdown of the foursquare point system:
- First check-in at a specific venue? – 5 points
- Adding a venue? – 5 points
- Checking In? – 1 point
- Travel Bonus (for each check-in that day)? – 1 point x “the # of check-ins”
- Earning a mayorship? – 0 points + bragging rights
What good are all these points I’m accumulating good for?
Other than a quantitative means to measure your sense of accomplishment, foursquare has yet to determine what all your hard work tapping your screen will get you.
Here’s what their site says:
We’re still experimenting with what points could translate into. In December 2009, we did a charity drive where each point earned was donated to charity. If you’re interested in working with us on experimenting with how points can turn into real-world rewards, contact us!
What’s up the mayorship-stuff?
When you’ve checked in at a venue more than any other player, foursquare will crown you the “mayor”!
While many areas may not yet have a long list of businesses offering special “mayoral” deals, it seems to be a growing trend. Check out Mashable’s article on a few well-known brands mastering the game of foursquare“–including Wynn Las Vegas, Lucky Magazine, and Starbucks! (Yes, THE Starbucks.)
How do I earn badges?
foursquare awards badges as “little rewards” for checking-in in less mundane fashion. (Examples include: staying out late on a school night or frequenting too many karaoke bars.)
According to foursquare, lot of the badges users can earn are tied to venue “tags”–lables that have been applied to locations on the site to help classify them.
Here’s a few suggested tags you can add to your favorite places to help unlock badges: airport, college, douchebag, food truck, frat, gallery, gym, karaoke, movie theater, photobooth, pizza, playground, socialite, sorority, tourist, etc.
What does foursquare do with my information?
We’re Working on Digging Up That Information…. Stay Tuned!
Who’re the major investors in foursquare?
We’re Working on Digging Up That Information…. Stay Tuned!
What areas can I play foursquare in?
foursquare is available anywhere in the world (that you can get on-line)–whoo-hoo! Hooray for Ubiquity!
What types of places do I want to Check In at?
foursquare lets you check in pretty much wherever you want… if a venue’s not on the list, you can add it.
(What types of places do I probably not want to check in at, you ask?)
Obviously, there are some places you may not want to check in–i.e. work, home, your drug dealer’s house… while it may seem like a ’score’ to check in when you get home, if you don’t make the local private, others can see “Home” show up on their lists. (Stalkers are no fun.)
What’s are “tips” & “to-dos”?
Tips & To-Dos are foursquare’s way of allowing users to make notes associated with venues. Think “advice” & “notes-to-self”.
Tips allow you to give heads-up (good or bad) about a venue to other users (i.e. medium here is SUPER spicy.) To-Dos help you remember what you said you’d do next time you check in somewhere (i.e. order the extra-mild, not the medium.)
I want to give foursquare a piece of my mind! How can I contact them?
Shoot ‘em an email.
How do I get more friends on foursquare?
(across the top) “Find Friends” > “Invite Your Friends”
Visit the Invite Your Friends page!
If foursquare relies on my checking in from somewhere, can’t I just cheat about the visits I’ve made?
How do they know I’m not lying?
Yep…and there are websites dedicated to that (which, had you been looking for them, you would have found by now…)
As far as knowing if you’re lying…they don’t (not completely), but c’mon–play fair! No one likes to play with cheaters!
Update: foursquare has announced that they’re cracking down on check-in cheaters
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