Keep in mind once we used to verify in to locations on-line to brag that we had locations to go and folks to fulfill? Nicely, in keeping with Foursquare, the corporate behind the favored social location app, it desires to carry it again. In an announcement on its web site in the present day, the corporate revealed that it’s shutting down its Metropolis Information app on December 15, 2024 with the intention to give attention to Swarm, its different app that permits customers to share their location with buddies.
Just a little refresher: Foursquare’s Metropolis Information app was launched in 2009 and allowed customers to verify in to places, fee them, and go away ideas for different customers. The app was a pioneer within the location-based social networking area and helped to popularize the idea of checking in. Nevertheless, in 2014, Foursquare break up its app into two separate apps: Swarm and Foursquare Metropolis Information. Swarm centered on location sharing and check-ins, whereas Foursquare Metropolis Information turned a extra common metropolis information app with user-generated evaluations and suggestions.
Foursquare says that it’s shutting down the Metropolis Information app to give attention to Swarm. The corporate says that Swarm has a bigger consumer base and is extra aligned with its long-term imaginative and prescient. Foursquare additionally says that will probably be introducing new options to Swarm that may make it much more helpful for customers. The net model of Metropolis Information will proceed to be accessible till early 2025 with no particular date given. Those who have companies listed on Metropolis Information will proceed to be listed on Swarm.
The shutdown of the Foursquare Metropolis Information app marks the top of an period for the corporate. The app was one of many first profitable location-based social networking apps and helped to pave the best way for different apps like Swarm. Different social networking apps, adopted in these footsteps and built-in check-in options into their present apps — a few of which nonetheless exist to this date.
The corporate has not mentioned what’s going to occur to the information that customers have saved within the Foursquare Metropolis Information app, however in accordance to their privateness coverage, it would solely disclose knowledge with applicable protections in place. Customers can management what data is seen to others of their settings. Moreover, it has supplied directions on how customers can export their knowledge and/or delete their account earlier than the app shuts down.
Whether or not this technique pays off for Foursquare stays to be seen. It does make sense, although, that the corporate would wish to give attention to the app that has the bigger consumer base and is extra aligned with its long-term imaginative and prescient, which is the case with Swarm. I’m thinking about seeing how the corporate will evolve and adapt to the altering panorama, and what new options the corporate will introduce to Swam sooner or later.
