Location Based Platforms

Everyone knows that when it comes to Real Estate, locations is everything. But is the same true for social media? Who doesn't love to brag about all of the cool places that they are traveling too! If you would like, Facebook will tell people where you are posting from in the world. Twitter has similar functions for its users as well. But what about platforms like Foursquare which are for the sole purpose of bragging about your daily movements?

Back in 2009 when Google Latitudes was launched and other programs such as Gowalla (which was later purchased by Facebook) and Foursquare became prevalent the idea was that life would become more and more social if we could broadcast our location to our friends and even to strangers. 

Today though a much smaller number of users than anticipated are finding the need to broadcast their locations along with their social life. Facebook found that it's check in function or "Places" was not receiving the attention that they wanted and in 2011 they quietly retired the function. Their goal now is that location should be a side feature and not the focus. 

I personally enjoy checking into locations be it just at the library on campus or at various cities and airports as I travel. It isn't that I feel the need to brag about where I am or what I am doing, I just enjoy doing it! I also like using foursquare because you can actually benefit from checking in at a location, often people leave tips and you can even get discounts somewhere! For instance I lived near a 7Eleven over the summer and we could get free Slurpees on certain days if we checked in at the store! I usually try be cautious at the same time, obviously it isn't a smart idea to broadcast to the world that you are going to be leaving your house unattended for a period of time but hey I am a broke college student, good luck finding anything of value in my apartment!