Patrick is a senior at the University of South Florida in Tampa. While completing his degree in Mass Communications, he is currently an intern with Sevans Strategy. Patrick has grown up digital and embodies a “connected” lifestyle. Check out his blog here.
For some background, this is a guest response post to my previous blog post, Hello 2011, Goodbye Foursquare and Gowalla.
In the eyes of Facebook, numbers are everything. But when it comes down to it, numbers don’t mean jack. If we took an eye for eye comparison of Facebook and Foursquare, one would undoubtedly say that Facebook is a clear victor. Yet, most fail to understand the underlying trends and unique things Foursquare brings to the table, or mobile phone.
Brand Quality vs. Brand Extension
Facebook isn’t a location-based network, Facebook is a social network. There is a difference; it’s like buying pancakes from Google. Just because they make a product doesn’t mean they make everything great. Facebook continues to bring in new “features” that are their to entice users and compliment their idea of a social graph and keeping up with your friends. A huge flaw- offering too many “features” that out weigh and dilute other “features.”
To date, Facebook has: pictures, wall, photos, statuses, questions, places, applications, games, marketplace, links, video sharing, notes, messages, events, groups and some that I’ve probably missed. Do you get the point?
Foursquare has location and few things that make locations more fun and socialable for users.
Facebook had 30 million people try places. Foursquare has 5 million active users. Trying and active users are different. I wouldn’t say it’s a loyalty issue, but clearly the winner can be seen through the clouds.
Beyond the Check-In
Dennis Crowley, CEO of Foursquare, has been quoted saying that they are working on metrics and functionality beyond the check-in. Whatever this means past location specials and mayorships is beyond me, but clearly they see something there that simple users don’t.
Again, as I mentioned before, they are still focusing on making one unique thing, the check-in, better. Facebook, on the other hand, has a billion simultaneous projects going and all lack luster. As much as some may argue, checking-in isn’t much of a thing. Why would someone use a service to tell their friends where they are when they can just tell their friends? The difference between the two: Facebook does what you can already do, while Foursquare enhances the experience individually and you share them, socially.
