The Magazine

Checking in from the mobile web? Your days as mayor are over

79

By on December 9th, 2010

Way back in April — you know, some 4 million plus users ago — foursquare announced they were rolling out an anti-cheater code to stop “some of the folks that are checking in from their couches to steal mayorships.” That announcement left a hole big enough to drive a truck through, however: users could still use the mobile site to check in and earn mayorships, badges and points no matter where they were in the world. This week foursquare made a major change that helps to plug that hole by removing the ability to earn mayorships through the mobile site, while leaving the ability to earn badges and points.

With more and more businesses offering rewards to their mayors, it’s important for the businesses and other users to know that the mayor is someone who has actually been to (or at least near) the business. To do that, foursquare will only allow GPS-verified checkins to count toward the mayorship total. They recommend using one of foursquare’s official apps to check in — something that’s only possible on a smartphone.

It’s a shame that a few cheaters have forced foursquare to take this action, since there are still lots of users without smartphones who use the mobile website to check in. They’ll still be able to play for badges and points, of course, but for many people their mayorships are a big deal and defending them was one of the main reasons they continued playing foursquare.

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UPDATE (January 18): Foursquare recently began alerting users to this change when they check in from the mobile web by displaying the message below. It links to a post on their support site describing the limitations and capabilities of the mobile site.

  • Ian Joseph

    But even with the apps I can pretty much check in from anywhere. I just checked into JFK airport and I’m no where near it.

    • Chris Thompson

      But did you get points for it? You’ll always be able to check in anywhere you like, but foursquare doesn’t award points, badges or mayorships if it suspects you’re cheating.

  • http://www.twitter.com/mmaat84 Marcel

    Bad news, for me… Does anyone have a suggestion for a good and fast app for a Nokia N97 (Symbian S60)?

    • Fenix

      I have a 5800xp and I use “Gravity”. The GPS is faster than the original app for nokias and you can add counts of FB o Twitter. Google it

      • http://www.twitter.com/mmaat84 Marcel

        Thanks! I’ll try it!

        Btw: I also found http://4sqmobile.com to checkin, will this also be ‘blocked’?

    • Joe

      I work for Nokia and am an avid Foursquare user (as Chris T. knows) so I can help you with this. Have you been to the Ovi Store lately? There should be a Foursquare app in there. If not, the application named Gravity has a foursquare plugin I believe. Check Ovi Store for that one as well.

      • http://www.twitter.com/mmaat84 Marcel

        Downloaded it from the Ovi Store, works fine for me! Thanks Joe!!!

    • rojocrandall

      Marcel – try 4sqmobile.com

      • http://www.twitter.com/mmaat84 Marcel

        I did before, but thanks anyway :-)

  • Joel

    GPS verified? This makes sense, but the GPS on my phone is horrible, and I often bypass it.

    For places I go often, I usually just check in from my history. I suppose that won’t count now.

    If you search for a nearby location on the mobile app, will that count?

  • Kellie

    Well thats out for me.. i have a samsung exclaim and there is no way for me to check in exept to go to foursquare.co/mobile on my phone =[

  • Rayman

    Would this also apply to check-ins via text message? A friend of mine does it this way.

  • AdrianEXG

    This is all very well, but the app for Symbian phones is rubbish – keeps locking up, failing to connect to server, failing to recognise places, is incredibly slow, uses huge amounts of data, etc, etc.
    Until this app is properly fixed, then Foursquare should NOT remove check-ins via the mobile website, although I can see why they are doing it

  • http://www.allankintz.com ack154

    Next stop, badges?

    PLEASE?!

    • Jason

      I don’t think they will disallow checking in for badges. They have said before that different people play the game differently and if that’s how those people play…then so be it. If there was some way to prevent them from creating fake venues to get those badges…I’d be happy with it.

    • Beth

      I agree with this to the extent that a know several people who “fly to NYC” just to get the NYC based bages… when really they are still in Iowa.

  • Chris (FoursquareHelp)

    This move was inevitable, hopefully badges will be next. It’s unfortunate that a few bad apples (or one rogue country) can ruin the experience for the vast majority of users who are playing the right way.

  • http://twitter.com/roneyii roneyii

    A flew from the US to Australia in July.
    My US CDMA phone wouldn’t work down there, so no 4sq.
    But it did have Wi-Fi.
    So I was able to use the mobile site to check in at the airport and my hotel.
    But the app wouldn’t work.
    I did manage one mayorship during my trip.
    I would hate to go all the way around the world and not get a mayorship just b/c I’m using the mobile site.

  • http://www.jonesydesign.com Christopher

    I just started using the Chrome extension to check-in when I’m at work or other places that I forget to check-in from the parking lot and my GPS definitely doesn’t pick up inside. I’m pretty sure it just uses the mobile site so I guess I’ll have to do a better job of checking in from the cold, cold parking lot.

  • Alana

    Well now theres really no point for me to even bother playing at all, unless foursquare buys me a smartphone or an itouch. Thanks a lot.

    • http://robert.aitchison.org Robert Aitchison

      Well at least the cost of smartphones has come down, for example you can get a new LG android phone for under $200 _off contract_ on every carrier but AT&T, frequently these phones are free on a contract extension.

      If you are using the mobile web that means you already have a data plan for your current phone (feature phone of some sort I’m guessing)

      • kuratowa

        No, I was using a netbook to check it at wi-fi capable hotspots.

    • anonymous

      Best Buy are selling the iPhones FOR FREE with a new contract.

  • http://www.fifthstreet.biz Harald Gärttner

    So what about 3G checkins with an iPod and the FourSquare App? No GPS but will still get the location on maps etc.

    Do they still count or are they off too?

    • http://www.allankintz.com ack154

      This (apparently) only affects the mobile version of the website. If you’re using the actual Foursquare app on any device, there should be no change (that I’m aware of).

      • Jupitergeek

        NO, Harald this will not work. I can tell you as an SMS & iPod touch user the 4SQ Apple App does not work most of the time when the mobile site will. Something about “GPS” not locating me.

        Point is, everyone except smartphone users are F*CKED.

  • Jeremy

    Oh that sucks, my 4sq on my Evo never has accurate location and the app will not give me points. Some venues are set up with incorrect info and I have sent countless corrections to no avail to 4sq :(

    • Chris (FoursquareHelp)

      Send the venues and correct info to foursquarehelp[at]gmail.com and I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.

      • Michael

        How’s about not penalising people who have done nothing wrong other than not buy a GPS phone? You going to fix that?

  • Justin Nachod

    There is one caveat to GPS verification. On jailbroken iphones, there are applications available that let someone fraudulently “set” their location to any arbitrary place of the person’s choosing regardless of their true location. If Foursquare wants to be very serious about locations being honest, they will need to prevent/block use from jail broken devices – which would be quite unpopular.

    GPS verification is going to become increasingly important with social networking and business Iphone apps in the future. There are some very real benefits to being a Four Square mayor at certain businesses that the businesses need to pay for out of their marketing/promotional budget, and it wouldn’t be right for a bar or store to give away more free drinks than it wants to.

    Another Iphone app that mandates GPS location checking is Field Agent (www.fieldagent.net), an application where Iphone users visit a business and answer specific questions about merchandise available for sale in the store. It’s important to Field Agent that users really visit the store to honestly answer the questions rather than just filling them out at home and making up garbage answers.

    I wouldn’t be surprised to see a GPS-based time clock come out that polls the location of an Iphone at regular intervals and pre-fills in an employee time card based on time at / near the office.

    • rojocrandall

      Justin is talking about “FakeLocation”. FWIW, Gowalla made a change that disabled the use of this app. Maybe a Foursquare dev can take a Gowalla dev to lunch and get a tip on how to do this.

  • tecfan

    BAaaad change. I feel robbed. All my mayorships will be lost now. VERY disappointed

    • Jupitergeek

      Very disappointed here too. :( :( :( I’ve been a loyal user/player since March 2010 and they just keep ruining the game for me!

  • Jo

    I have an enV Touch, so I guess I’m out. What a drag. What’s the point of playing if you can’t be mayor? Sad that a few cheaters wrecked it.

  • zakkthebear

    it’s not a few cheaters, there are THOUSANDS in my area alone. I’m fine with the change and I’d like to see the badges hole plugged as well. If they can’t verify you are near by, then you get nothing at all. How pathetic do you need to be to cheat on a game that you’re more or less playing with yourself?

    • Beth

      agree!!! why cheat?

    • Michael

      True. But what about all those who are not cheating but are being treated like they have been?

  • vincent

    Now this is a move that I can surely put a thumbs up to!! Cherrio! Good Show!! Let the competition for mayorship begin!! Sorry Indonesia, your gonna have to visit the venues this time!! Hehehe!!

    • Jupitergeek

      This comment is lame and only an Entitled player (likely American i’m just guessing) would say. Hope you feel good about yourself there.

  • Ben

    I think it’s a alright idea. If people aren’t actually at the venues, why should they get the mayorship and any deals that go with it.

    My problem is with people saying “Oh! Get rid of everything for the mobile users!” Why?

    Earning a few pixels on a game for a cell phone isn’t hurting anyone. It’s not like there’s a set amount of badges, and if you have one you get to do something for life. The one badge that does it (the badge for the dude’s wedding) is the ONLY one that I can tell that would be important enough to make so people have to be there to get it. And they were.

    But disabling badges from mobile users is just a kick in the face. They’re not hurting anyone. And if they did, people would have no reason to check in any more.

    And what about people throwing their GPS location on their smartphone? Should they take away badges from Android users? Or Iphone users? Or Blackberry users?

  • http://www.billyburgwick.org/boss toonmonk

    Um maybe you kids should go explore your cities instead of geeking out on how you and your pals can’t cheat anymore.

  • Ellen

    So if I use my iPhone to check in
    can I become mayor?

    • http://www.allankintz.com ack154

      If you are using the Foursquare (or other compatible) app on your iPhone, yes. The only thing affected that I’m aware of is the mobile version of the Foursquare website.

  • zewood

    So thanks to foursquare to make an app for bada’s phone quickly please !!!!!!!

    • DownerNL

      I use an iPhone but my spare phone is a Wave (Bada), 4sqmobile worked fine on the Wave or use the Layar app to check-in on 4sq :)

  • saynotocheaters

    Honestly our purpose (Indonesian players) are not to try to stealing venue’s major from someone or company, but we just have fun to play and collect badges. So please not misjudge of us.

    Secondly, you must admit that how many advantage that foursquare got indirectly, because our massive member. Lots of Indonesians get to know foursquare for our activities, and many of those who play it from your smartphone, not from mobile web.

    So please consider us as your users like others, and we can play freely. Otherwise, for me without badges, i would not be interested anymore.

    • http://www.allankintz.com ack154

      Two things:

      1) There are MANY Indonesia players that steal mayorships. Whether on purpose or not, it is very wrong. I’ve witnessed some in my small town, and I can’t imagine how the larger cities are.

      2) Regardless of mayorships, thousands of Indonesians checking in at US venues turn that particular venue’s statistics and metrics into pure garbage. You may not be taking mayorships – but even checking into venues where you are not located is making those business features from Foursquare useless.

      • saynotocheaters

        Two things:

        1) If you really care about your own mayor, why didn’t you steal back mayorships? That’s not really big matters if you it’s really your own.

        2) What i had explain above is, 4sq is a social networking with based location (and mix with game of chasing badge). If Foursquare just to mean for bussiness only, why not just say from the beginning, foursquare is a social business networking and regular user should not join. What is wrong with our country there are no badges that can we take then we should not get the badge in another country?

        What I mean from my opinion is Foursquare should be able to create the right system to distinguish where the badge or venue is really aimed for BUSINESS alone and where the badges that can be taken for common users, so that statistics will be accurate.

      • Chris Thompson

        But they do have a system, a very simple one. Round ones are for everyone (and most all of them can be unlocked anywhere in the world, including Indonesia) while shield shaped ones are sponsored by businesses.

    • anonymous

      Why don’t you guys just play Angry Birds or some other sort of “game?” I don’t get it. What is it with INDONESIANS being addicted to foursquare? Barely ANY Indonesians are playing it the proper way.

    • Larry

      If Indonesia is the problem, just block Indonesian IPs. Don’t kill foursquare for those who play legitimately. stupid…stupid…

    • Jupitergeek

      I support Indonesian (and every other country’s) players earning badges. The mayorship-”stealing” is just a few bad apples making people angry about the business/specials aspect.

      As a New Yorker, I applaud you for playing!! When I signed up for Foursquare I saw it as a fun way to earn cute little digital badges just for doing things I would otherwise. BRAVO! :)

  • Zack

    While I think this is a good idea to counter cheaters, I disagree with their move to remove all existing mayorship checkins made from the mobile site. I’ve lost 6 legitimate mayorships over the past few days because of this.

    They should have post an announcement saying that from here on out, you couldn’t get mayorships from non-GPS checkins instead of just pulling the carpet out from underneath legitimate users.

    • rojocrandall

      Zack – as I mentioned above, use 4sqmobile.com.
      With my iPhone down, I am using this to gain mayorships.
      Stop using m.foursquare.com and use this.
      It is mentioned on foursquare’s apps section.

      • sam

        so what is the different betw this and the m.foursquare.com? i try this w my iPhone but this 4sqmobile doesnt detect where i am rather than give me other venue near my last check-in. am i doing it wrong? im always get a bad reciption in my house, so i often use the m.foursquare.com to maintance my mayorship. TIA

  • Larry

    Looks like I’m gonna be out. The only way I can check in via an app is on the itouch when I have wifi. Text seldom works.

  • 4sqNY

    I’ve always been able to check-in from my couch to other states to earn badges (for testing reasons, and I would delete afterwards). Never gave me an error I was too far away, it would award the badge and points. Always thought that was strange.

  • http://mattersofgrey.com andy

    laaaame. im not on a smartphone. but i play legitly.

  • Tori

    I just started using foursquare because I found out they had a mobile site that made it possible, and also that didn’t make the game another piece of elitest, internet-obsessed white kid crap… and now this? I do realize that there are a lot of holes in the system and most people cheat (and that certain players from certain places are really ridiculous,) but for the people that can’t afford smart phone plans and actually enjoy playing this game, this is a pretty big blow. I’ve legitimately earned my mayorships and now I will never earn another one because I can’t waste my money on a fancy cell phone?

    This really sticks in my craw. If they take away badges too, I won’t play anymore. I realize my playing or not doesn’t affect anyone but me, but I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Mayorships I can understand and I guess it’s reasonable even if I object, but I just hope it doesn’t come to badge-policing as well.

    • Jupitergeek

      You’re not alone Tori. I’ve been playing mostly via SMS/texts since March ’10 and then got an iTouch in June ’10 which its hard enough to find wifi. When I can, the official app works maybe 7/10 times depending on signal. I even changed my text plan because I was playing (but no, in this economy I cannot afford an elitist smartphone) ! Now that I cannot earn mayorships through “any form other than the official app” (paraphrasing) I’m up a creek and wondering what to do.

      Totally random to note, a iPhone-player friend even has “4SQ Fatigue” after only about 4 months… I’m feeling it after 9 months. Anyone else???

  • shuckiduck

    Okay – NO ONE has mentioned this here yet – WHAT ABOUT MOVING TARGETS?
    I live in southern California and we have TONS of food trucks down here – mostly tagged as moving targets, as they should be. Have they fixed this in the API yet? Because typically the trucks are “based” in the city they/someone designated, and then as a moving target. You can look them up on the map and they’re nowhere near you, but you’re standing in front of them. I use the mobile site to check into them otherwise, obviously, the app would say I’m too far away.

    What’s going to happen now? Have they already made adjustments for this? I’d hate to see a pseudo-fix that people may start will be to make a venue each new stop and merge them later… ick…

    • Chris Thompson

      As I understand it, food trucks now have a HUGE radius where checkins are allowed so this shouldn’t be an issue. You’ll just need to search for it or find it in your history to check in.

      • shuckiduck

        Thanks, Chris. I discovered tonight that the radius has been improved (I used to have major problems with it). I visited 5 trucks tonight and all went well. Thanks for your quick reply =)

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  • anggono

    bad change.. can i find application for java mobile? based on J2ME (not symbian)???

  • Iwan

    I have a smartphone, windows mobile non-touch screen phone, but I still can not checkin, because there is no software for windows mobile foursquare non-touch screen, very disappointing.

  • VirusX

    then please create an app for BADA (Samsung WAVE).
    thanks!

  • http://www.rickeyre.com Rick Eyre

    It took FourSquare about five weeks to announce this non-feature on its mobile web site to its mobile web users. (I learned about this yesterday.) Poor poor implementation, FourSquare.

  • http://www.sparklingspur.com Sreerag

    Ofcourse this is really a bad news for me…i am using the Samsung Wave s8500 which is one of the top rated mobile phone. Has a build in gps too..but the thing is foursquare dont have a app for bada OS…i am too sad and abt 5 million ppl who has Samsung wave is also in the same condition…So only thing is just undo this move or bada needs a foursquare app

  • Michael

    Think it’s fair to say that Foursquare have made a bit of an arse of this.

  • Austin

    Frankly and honestly speaking, Foursquare is just a GAME whereby everyone in the world are ENTITLED and ALLOWED to play foursquare as a game, especially cracking a little bit of your head to unlock badges. Unlocking badges are more fun than Mayorships. End of the day, everybody feel satisfied and happy to see the colourful and beautiful different designs of badges being unlocked. I would like to stress and emphasize it again 4sq is just a GAME. And thankfully that you still leave the ability to earn badges and points via mobile website.

    So what if everybody is using Handphone 4sq application to check in and become mayorships But under the SETTINGS platform, they did NOT CHECK/TICK the box to let business partners knows about their mayorship???

    Please foursquare is JUST A GAME for everybody in the world.

    • Chris Thompson

      You might want to check your definition of the word “Entitled.”

      • Austin

        What I meant “Entitled” was given the RIGHT to play 4sq by everyone in the world.

      • Chris Thompson

        No one, anywhere in the world, has a right to play foursquare. They’re a private company, and as such can choose to let whoever they want play the game. Right now it’s everyone in the world, but that could change at any moment.

    • Michael

      It is indeed just a game – and that’s why it irks me that 4sq feel the need to limit mayorships like this. Mayorship (like badges and all the rest) isn’t important, so why limit it in this way?

      It’s the very fact that it doesn’t matter that makes the decision so irritating. It just creates an unnecessary two-tier system whereby some 4sq users are treated as better than others, and given how unimportant the mayorship thing is in the real world, I don’t get why they needed to create the division in the first place.

  • http://pseudokleinigkeiten.iobloggo.com NeraPoesia

    Anyway. Whay don’t create a java application even for who doesn’t have a smartphone?

  • Bobo

    It is NOT adviseable to remove the unlocking badges functions because those beautiful and different well designed badges are very educational. Not only we can gain knowledge and be educated the different states/countries from the badges, we can also aware of the popular and recommendated venues/places/culture from different countries. Thus, it is GOOD to REMAIN the unlocking badges functions @ mobile website.

  • MT

    Please disallow both mayorships and badges for mobile web check-ins and stop the cheaters from Indonesia and other third-world countries from amassing huge badge collections they did not legitimately earn.

    • Chris Thompson

      Sadly, disallowing badges from the mobile site would do nothing but temporarily slow down the determined jumpers. There are plenty of ways to fake GPS on just about every phone (or desktop, for that matter). Putting an end to the cheaters isn’t as easy as making a change to the mobile site.

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