Member-only story
Many ask themselves what happened to Foursquare? Well, the company still survives, and all thanks to our data.
We all did it, at least once: we checked in on Foursquare. But then, it all faded away, right? The once-popular social network vanished. Well, that’s what you think. Chances are you’re still using Foursquare, even if you don’t know it.
Wait, let me correct that. Chances are Foursquare is using you. So yes, it still exists, just not how you think. Foursquare is a clear example of how evolution can lead to plenty of opportunities if done right. By the way, having the data of millions of users also helps.
This article explains what happened to Foursquare, from its origins, its rise in popularity, and its downfall. But, we’ll also explain how the company managed to reinvent itself.
You might remember this. Foursquare in its early days (Credit: Zeynep Arda)
How Foursquare was born
Foursquare was born in 2009 as Foursquare City Guide. Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai wanted to compete with Twitter. But their idea came with a twist: the added benefit of knowing where your friends were.
