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I have wanted to post about “location-based social networks” for sometime now. I started doing my research on the basics; Facebook Places, Foursquare and Gowalla along with a handful of others. I loaded the apps and was totally ready to rank each one of the three! Next, I was going to offer a case study on the business applications and how companies could use to increase business (because no one has done that yet). Then I found an article (at the top of the Google search no doubt) that listed 118 different location-based social network sites (as of 12/2010) and another 22 that are defunct!
Social media has gone crazy mad!
So what is the real future of location-based social networks, aka the future of social stalking? In the future (by my prediction 2016), we will know every step and breathe our kids take – before they take it (having 3 beautiful daughter, I think about my need to sweep in on my turbo jet pack made by Toyota and kick some butt in their time of need)!
Perhaps that special someone in your life has a “wandering way”, no need to see when the Mayor of Taco Bell check’s in to his/her favorite dining establishment. In the future, you will have their 5 day “predictive major/minor strikes (PMMS)” sent via hologram to your iRing (small device you wear on your pinkie that projects a hologram of a celebrity of choice and updates everyone’s status). You will be able to take actions before it happens!
What I have learned is the future of location-based social networks will continue to grow exponentially. Business will use this social networking tool in all aspects of customer interaction and experience. Companies will start using them as a rewards based system for employees who work certain shifts, holidays or times. The mobile device and apps business will continue to grow and eventually boast higher dollars volumes that professional sports, the music industry and film/movies (which has seen it changes due to social media in the past 5 years).
So check-in while you can, eventually you will be in a geographical state of check mate!
Related Articles
- Why FourSquare is Beating Gowalla: Location, Location, Location (dailyfinance.com)
- Gowalla 3 Checks In with Everyone: Can it Catch Foursquare? (dailyfinance.com)
- Check-In Fever (fortheloveofpr.com)