Geo-social networks are location-based social media applications that use GPS or other location methods to identify where a user is located and share that information with friends or communities. Users can check-in to different locations using their mobile phones or devices. This allows friends to see where each other have been, like parks, bars, or restaurants. Popular geo-social networks include Foursquare, Gowalla, Facebook Places, and others. These applications aim to reward users for exploring locations in their cities with badges, coupons, or other perks through a game-like experience.

1. Geo-Social Networking Location-Based Social Media Image courtesy of Piterest

2. A Geo or Location-Based Social Networks are social or community-based applications that use GPS or other location methods to identify the location of a user as well as other content. Thisis then broadcasted to either a select group which could be ‘friends’ of the user or to thenetworkscommunity at large. Image courtesy of Flickr

3. All of this is done on your mobilephone or handheld device. Most of the Geo-Socialnetworks have iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry apps,and allow users to “check in” via mobile web browsers. Image courtesy of Piterest

4. “Checking in” notifies your friends where you are or have been whether it is a park, bar, museum, restaurant, library or anywhere. However a drive-by or couch “check in” is frowned upon… Image courtesy of Getty Images

5. “Research shows that Location-Based Social Network users are typically young, male, well-educated, and influential. In fact, LBSN users are 38% more likely than the average US online adult to say that friends and family ask their opinions before making a purchase decision. - Cynthia Boris, Location-Based Social Network Users are Small but Mighty Image courtesy of Flickr

6. Foursquare, Gowalla, BrightKite, Loopt, Yelp and Facebook Places are the most talked about Location-based social networks. Though others exist, popularity is varied depending on geography, for example Foursquare reigns supreme in New York City. Image courtesy of Piterest

7. The software is designed for mobile devices, once can ‘check-in’ to locations by using text messages, the mobile specific website or device-specific application by running the application and selecting from a list of venues that the application locates nearby. Image courtesy of Piterest

8. Location-Based Social Network User Count Foursquare 2.6 Million Gowalla 390 Thousand BrightKite 2.2 Million Loopt 4 Million Yelp 2 Million FaceBook Places Just Launched - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

9. Game Mechanics or the Gamification of Location-Based Social Networks add an interactive incentive element to the Networks where you could beat your friends and win “stuff”. The top LBSN offer points, badges, royalty levels, rewards & achievements. Image courtesy of Flickr

10. Primary User Benefit and Perks include coupons, freebies, gifts, specials, comprehensive reviews, rating guides and hot or not tags. Image courtesy of Flickr

11. The business model is simple: Generate as big a user base as possible and sell national brands and local merchants on the possibilities of marketing to people as they congregate—ready to eat, shop, or spend. Image courtesy of Flickr

12. In Ten Words or Less… Image courtesy of Flickr

13. Foursquare Get Rewarded for Exploring Your City - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

14. Gowalla Discover New Places and Earn Rewards - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

15. Loopt Find Friends, Go Places, Rate Them, Get Rewarded - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

16. Yelp Share Local Business Reviews and Tips with Friends - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

17. BrightKite Location Based Social Recommendation Service - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

18. FaceBook Places Check Into Local Businesses and Share Moments - Mark Fedilman Location Based Social Networks Compared Image courtesy of Flickr

19. The Location-Based Social Network Throwdown Foursquarevs. Gowalla Image courtesy of Piterest

20. Small Businesses Usage of Social Media Facebook %27 LinkedIn %18 Location-Based Services %8 Blogs %8 Twitter %7 - Network Solutions Image courtesy of Flickr

21. Location Based Social Networks rely on platforms such as iPhone, BlackBerry, Andriod and Palm in order to reach their users. Image courtesy of Piterest

22. However Google has now affiliated with Turn by Turn navigation for Andriod phones and Apple recently purchasedmapping company called Placebase to replace Goggle Maps on iPhones and iPads. Image courtesy of Piterest

23. Beyond the “Check In”: Where Location-Based Social Networks Should Go Next? - Yan-David Erlich, Beyond the Check In Image courtesy of Flickr

24. “Location— the “where” of a social experience — is not the most important characteristic of social media. In order to create lasting value, location-aware social networks need to look at what motivates their users to share with one another and make it central to the app’s design and user experience.” - Yan-David Erlich, Beyond the Check In Image courtesy of Flickr

25. “Ultimately, the location-based social networks that will thrive in the long-term are the ones that design their user experiences around users’ real motivations. The “check in”, as a stand-alone act, is fundamentally empty. It begs to be put into context.” - Yan-David Erlich, Beyond the Check In Image courtesy of Piterest

26. Works Cited Information http://mashable.com/2010/07/01/location-social-media/ http://mashable.com/2010/03/19/location-based-strategy/ http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_20/b4178034154012 Images http://pinterest.com/ http://www.flickr.com/ http://www.gettyimages.com Image courtesy of Flickr