So Foursquare DOES have a purpose...

So recently, I was at the PRSA Student Day in downtown Cleveland and an audience member during the keynote speech curiously asked, "So what is Foursquare? Does anyone use it?" I found myself asking the same question until I stumbled upon a couple different articles about the use of Foursquare in holiday campaigns and charity efforts.

Gap recently launched its newest holiday campaign with a Foursquare feature; online ads for the campaign include a Foursquare Gap "To Do" list. A list of Gap stores nearby the user appear on ones computer or mobile phone, and checking into these local stores earns shoppers 30% off any purchase. As another part of the campaign, Gap will donate $1 for every check-in their stores receive. This relationship with Foursquare isn't new; about a year ago, Gap offered 25% to all users who checked in to their stores.

After reading about this, I started doing a little bit more research on Foursquare because, I'll be honest...I thought this application was one of the creepiest. We're always being lectured on keeping our whereabouts private when it comes to using social media because it has been known that robberies occur when people broadcast their vacations or work trips through Facebook and Twitter. But this application can be used for good things too!

One of the coolest Foursquare campaigns was that of US hunger relief charity Feeding America. The week before Thanksgiving, Foursquare users could check into local food banks in order to have $1 donated for every check-in. Thoughtful, isn't it? It's an easy way to get people involved with little effort...which appeals to all of us that lead busy lives but still want to find a way to do good.

Although I was a bit weary of the overwhelming effects of social media on our lives, I have to admit, the more I research the good that has come out of tools like Facebook, Twitter and even Foursquare...I realize that the possibilities to help others are becoming even more endless. Foursquare isn't just a game we played at recess, it's a way to help those that need it (and maybe get a discount while we're at it)!