In response to longstanding customer requests, Foursquare has rolled out the first version of what they refer to as their “cheater code” – an attempt to catch users checking in “from their couches to steal mayorships.”
Their stated goal is to award points, mayorships and badges only when you are physically at the place where you claim to be located, and they are attempting to accomplish this by using “some tricks” with your phone’s GPS. They still allow check-ins when they determine you are not actually there (rightly or wrongly), but in those instances they will not award points.
Initial reaction is decidedly mixed. Here are a few sample comments posted on the Foursquare blog:
“Be careful, the inaccuracy of GPS as a way of determining if you’re actually where you say you are checking in is what tuned me off about Gowalla.”
“As an operator of 5 businesses, I LOVE the concept, and I’m sure all the other businesses would agree. Hate to give Mayorship rewards to lazy, cheating jerks sitting somewhere else.”
“For smaller stores, this is ok, but when I check in to larger places like my university, malls, or parks, and I’m far enough away from the pushpin, I get gypped out of points.”
“This is a good thing IF the GPS landmark is correct for the place you are visiting. Two times today I was at the place of business I was checking into, and Foursquare said I was HUNDREDS of meters away. What good is that?!”
“I guarantee the number of folk complaining about the fake checkins will far outweigh those who can’t get points because of this!”
“Some of us aren’t cheating, I have an iPod Touch not an iPhone. if i can’t get wi-fi then I have to check in when I get back home.”
This change impacted me earlier today.
While meeting a friend in a local dining establishment for an informational interview, I attempted to check in on Foursquare via my iPhone. Not only were there two distinct entries for it, but both of them indicated that the restaurant – in which I was seated at the time – was 1200+ meters away. Oh, really? I was allowed to check in, but was not given any points. And while the social aspects of geolocation applications are a big reason to use them, the game of competing among your friends each week is compelling to many.
One of the reasons that I stopped using Gowalla is because I became annoyed by the inaccuracies in its location database which often prevented me from being able to check in to different businesses near my home. And now Foursquare seems to be taking a similar path. This disappoints me.
The impact of this change on the Foursquare user community will play out in the weeks ahead, but with prominent supporters like Jennifer Leggio of ZDNet choosing to give up on the application for other reasons, this well-meaning attempt to prevent couch potatoes from cheating may yet become another illustration of the law of unintended consequences.
David Swinney helps businesses implement social media strategies and plans in order to identify customers and their influencers, engage them in conversation, and leverage those connections to improve the bottom line.
As a technologist with a background in social media, corporate communications, technical and customer support, vendor relationship and project management, he is able to comfortably discuss various social media topics with managers, individual contributors, and just plain folks.
Contact David if you're looking for someone to create, build, and enhance your customer relationships using social media tools and technologies. 
Hi, i must say fantastic blog you include, i stumbled across it in Google. Does you get much traffic?
Hi..I am reading your page for a few days now is there any way to subscribe by email
Hello – I must say, I’m impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and information was very easy to access. I found what I wanted in no time at all. Pretty awesome. Would appreciate it if you add forums or something, it would be a perfect way for your clients to interact. Great job
I totally agree. That is exactly how I understand it. Great!
Hey…thanks for that. Neat content. I’ll be coming back shortly for more updates. Great!
What I enjoy about blogs is the fact that they spark an idea in my brain. The moment that happens, I feel as I have to write a comment hoping it’s helpful to others.
I left Gowalla for the same reasons as you. I wanted the flexibility not only to check in at a venue, but have the option to check in later (if I forgot to while there) or use Foursquare to declare that I was stuck in traffic or in my car. I enjoyed the many options that the application provided, and now find myself frustrated by the very same things that frustrated me about Gowalla.