Google Plus Local vs Foursquare

Struggling to choose between Google Plus Local and Foursquare? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Google Plus Local is a Social & Communications solution with tags like social-media, local-business, reviews.

It boasts features such as Free business listings, Ability to add photos, videos, menus, and other details to listings, Integration with Google Maps for location and directions, Ability to respond to and manage customer reviews, Analytics on views, actions, and clicks on listings, Mobile optimization for listings and pros including Increased visibility on Google search and maps, Simple setup and management, Helps customers find and engage with local businesses, Free to create and manage listings, Provides analytics and insights.

On the other hand, Foursquare is a Social & Communications product tagged with local-search, recommendations, checkin, badges, points, locationbased.

Its standout features include Check-in at locations to earn points, Get recommendations for places to go based on location, Discover new places nearby, Earn badges for checking in at certain locations, Unlock specials and deals by checking in, Leave tips and reviews for places you visit, Connect with friends and see where they have checked in, Leaderboards and mayorships for most check-ins at a place, and it shines with pros like Good for discovering new places in your area, Checking in and earning points can be fun and addictive, Unlocking specials can save you money, Easy to connect with friends and see where they go, Interface is simple and easy to use.

Feature	Google Plus Local	Foursquare
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Social & Communications	Social & Communications

Product Overview

Google Plus Local

Description: Google Plus Local is part of Google's local search and discovery service, allowing businesses to create a free listing with key business information like address, phone number, photos and more. It helps connect businesses with local customers searching for them on Google.

Foursquare

Description: Foursquare is a local search and discovery mobile app that provides recommendations for dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment based on the user's location. Users can check-in at venues to earn points, badges and unlock specials and recommendations.

Key Features Comparison

Google Plus Local Features

• Free business listings
• Ability to add photos, videos, menus, and other details to listings
• Integration with Google Maps for location and directions
• Ability to respond to and manage customer reviews
• Analytics on views, actions, and clicks on listings
• Mobile optimization for listings

Foursquare Features

• Check-in at locations to earn points
• Get recommendations for places to go based on location
• Discover new places nearby
• Earn badges for checking in at certain locations
• Unlock specials and deals by checking in
• Leave tips and reviews for places you visit
• Connect with friends and see where they have checked in
• Leaderboards and mayorships for most check-ins at a place

Pros & Cons Analysis

Google Plus Local

Pros

• Increased visibility on Google search and maps
• Simple setup and management
• Helps customers find and engage with local businesses
• Free to create and manage listings
• Provides analytics and insights

Cons

• Relies heavily on Google search traffic
• Less customizable than dedicated business directory sites
• Limited options for paid advertising and upgrades
• Must claim and verify listing to manage fully
• No customer support

Foursquare

Pros

• Good for discovering new places in your area
• Checking in and earning points can be fun and addictive
• Unlocking specials can save you money
• Easy to connect with friends and see where they go
• Interface is simple and easy to use

Cons

• Checking in can be seen as showy by some
• Too much focus on earning points/badges rather than utility
• Recommendations are hit or miss sometimes
• Privacy concerns around always sharing your location
• Requires a large user base to be really useful

Pricing Comparison

Google Plus Local

• Free

Foursquare

• Freemium