App Review Series ~ Are You Checked In On Foursquare?

App Review Series: This series is written by members of Social Fabric to educate other members about new apps, how to use them, and their opinions about the apps. These are not sponsored posts, but written by members that volunteered to do a review.

I know the secret to getting free chips and salsa every time we visit one of our favorite hangouts. Surprisingly enough, there are no coupons to clip and no cards to swipe. As long as I have my iPhone, that sweet little perk is mine!

It’s just one of the benefits available to me (and over 30 million other people) because I use the Foursquare app. With a few clicks, I can “check-in” to any of the places I visit and access deals, tips, recommendations and perks that are only available to Foursquare users.

What is Foursquare? It’s an app aimed at helping people make the most of where they are. Users can check into the places they visit and announce it to their friends and social networks. Many businesses reward users with special deals (like my free chips and salsa!) and check-ins also help you earn Foursquare badges.

Using the app is very easy. Simply open the app, click the little “dial” in the right corner and Foursquare will use your phone’s GPS to locate where you are. You can simply enter your exact location in the search box or choose from the list that Foursquare populates and click the Check-in button. Each time you check in, Foursquare remembers where you’ve been and even reminds you how many times you’ve been there. Check-ins also lead to personalized recommendations, which improve the more you use the app.

Here’s what I love:

• Foursquare allows you to leave tips at the places you visit. I’ve helped friends avoid some awful places with my tips and their tips have also helped me.
• You can save money with specials and deals.
• You can discover places nearby by simply searching, and the app will provide deals and tips available around you.
• Foursquare also offers directions, hours, menus, photos and tips at millions of places.
• You can follow your friends on Foursquare and track their check-ins.
• The app is free!

There’s not much I don’t like about Foursquare, except for the very real potential for it to be used by stalkers. For that reason, more often than not, I’ll check in as I’m leaving a place unless there’s a deal available. It might be overkill on my part, but I prefer to error on the side of caution. As with any social networking tool, safety has to be a priority.

If you’ve been interested in trying it, I definitely recommend that you do ~ as long as you promise to use it safely! Foursquare is available for iOS, Android and Blackberry. Have you used it? What’s your favorite part?

Anitra is a wife, mom of two, and sharer of useful T.I.D.B.I.T.S. at The MamaZone. When she’s not there, you’ll find her vlogging on Life and Laughter with Dana Anitra (bit.ly/DanaAndAnitra) or helping moms on one of her other blogs. Rebel Mouse: https://www.rebelmouse.com/anitra/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/anitra Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheMamaZone Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ImAnitra You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/ImAnitra

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