The check-in wars are clearly in full swing. Foursquare recently boasted it had 381,576,305 check-ins worldwide in 2010, and while I don’t know the exact numbers associated with Facebook Places, a competitor that launched in August, it’s clear that the two are “squaring” or “facing” off.
For example, JetBlue just crowed yesterday that it’s offering TrueBlue points for Facebook Places check-ins…no Foursquare to be found there. On the other hand, Foursquare just announced that it doesn’t even need new funding this year — it has enough money even given the new competition. Touche.
No matter who’s doing the posturing, it’s clear that location-based social media is where the buzz is these days, as the “gamification” of loyalty continues full-throttle. 2011 should definitely bring further fun in this arena…so we’ll bring you more updates as this location-based face-off shakes out.
