Those that are are truly dedicated.

Its cool that the game basically knows where I am so can provide a list of places near where I am. Its a great local marketing tool as well.

Here’s the problem (ok a couple):

First: Even though it has a pretty good geo-locater built in it will allow me to check in anywhere I want. I just checked into a golf course that I had forgotten to check into two days ago. Its about 20 miles away so I immediately know I can game the system. That’s a big fail when you consider that one of the best applications of foursquare is for businesses to offer special discounts or offers to customers who show their loyalty by checking in a certain number of times or better yet being mayor.

Second: Though the social aspect is aided by the ability for anyone to enter a location that doesn’t appear accuracy isn’t. I’ve checked into Cosi several times (a favorite eatery) but there is also a “cozi” on the list of places entered by someone who can’t spell and, who knows, perhaps a Cosi Restaurant or Cafe somewhere on the list. We can all be mayor of our own version of Cosi.

This is something facebook has gotten right. They make it very clear that if you are creating a facebook page for a business you need to be the owner of that business. Its a hard call. Entry by users makes the app far more viral and social. Balance that against the person checking into a restaurant 5 times in the car outside so they can get the discount (or even just randomly through the week because they know they are going later).