Social local platform foursquare recently announced that it is adding “lists” to its service, which may bring new marketing life to the site. Businesses that catch check-ins might also find themselves on some desirable new lists that promote hot spots to users’ connections.
Foursquare announced lists in its company blog, and it promises that the feature is easy to use. The geosocial service will automatically suggest users add places to lists when they view their profiles, with recommended lists ranging from “Top Picks for Italian Restaurants” to “Multi-visit Nightlife Spots in New York.” Users can also build their own lists.
The new “lists with friends” feature is also a good way to increase discovery among connected users. Foursquare users can create a blank list (such as “Where should I go in San Francisco?”), then have their local-savvy friends fill it in for them. This provides marketers with more opportunities to use local social advocacy to reach new audiences.
The geosocial channel hit the 10 million-member mark back in June, so its lists might be a good way for businesses to put themselves on the social map. Of course, it’s worth noting that the long-discussed potential of geosocial sites pales when marketers consider that Google+ is expected to reach the 40 million-member mark soon, even though it is much newer than foursquare.
