The famous geo-tagging app Foursquare has passed 20 million users worldwide and subsequently its users have churned out a staggering 2 billion check-ins. The announcement was made to commemorate the third annual 4sqDay which resulted in US-wide meet-ups. In June 2011, Foursquare reported a user count of 10 million and after doubling that figure in less than a year, the location-based social network app can proudly claim its cross-platform success which includes iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Phone.
Users of Foursquare are privileged to more than just check-ins, they also get see notifications, recommendations on local businesses or retailers, discounts, coupons as well as tips from either local celebrities or subject related experts. The problem for the company lies in the fact that it still remains a niche product. As a survey by Pew Internet & American Life Project indicates, 28% of all US mobile subscribers depend on their phones to get directions of recommendations based on where they are at any point in time, but only 5% use geo-social services such as Foursquare. The company responsible for the survey also indicated that 55% of the respondents have accessed a location-based information service and only 1 in 10 have used a geo-social check in tool.