Foursquare and "checking in"

With this blog I've reviewed a number of different social media tools. This week I'd like to introduce Foursquare, the best location-app I've seen catch on in a major way. Foursquare is an online directory that detects businesses, restaurants and retail locations nearby wherever you are. The app detects your location and allows you to "check in" to a nearby location. 

After over a year of consistent Foursquare use, I've put together a list of tips for potential new users:

1. Scrutinize who to accept as a Foursquare Friend- Foursquare users must "friend" you to be able to view your Foursquare posts. It is easy to fall victim to strangers reaching out through Internet cover-ups. Be careful who you accept as a Foursquare connection.

2. Use Foursquare as your go-to restaurant review- the "tips" section of a restaurant's Foursquare profile are reviews left by people who have visited that location. I've often used these tips to get the low-down on different menu options. 

3. Careful where you post! Foursquare is integrated with a ton of Social Media tools- Facebook and Twitter most notably- so be careful of where and when you post. Do you want just your Foursquare contacts to be aware of your whereabouts, or your entire Facebook following? Figure out where to limit yourself to secure your desired level of privacy on the Internet.

Facebook Integration
You might have been using Foursquare on Facebook without even knowing it! When you select the "Place" icon  when making a status update, you're using the Foursquare technology. Similarly, Foursquare was able to use Facebook as a major platform to generate new users. The Foursquare/Facebook integration allows for easy access between platforms- if you're on the Foursquare application you can post things directly to Facebook (with a one-click acceptance). Click here to read more about the Facebook and Foursquare integration.

Twitter Integration
Want to automatically update Twitter every time you check in on Foursquare? Foursquare has created the ability to show all check-ins on social media sites like Facebook (mentioned above) as well as Twitter. Read more on how you can connect your Foursquare account to these social media sites here.