Foursquare, once one of the App Store’s brightest stars, is officially shutting down its city guide app on December 15, 2024. In a move that surprised and saddened some, the company announced that it will now focus on its Swarm app, which allows users to check in at various locations. The web version of the Foursquare city guide will remain available until early 2025, but the iconic app will soon be history.
The decision marks the shift from the company’s earlier strategy, which split Foursquare’s popular check-in feature into a separate app in 2014. While Swarm took over the check-in function, Foursquare rebranded itself as a “city guide” with user reviews and local recommendations. However, after years of operation, the company has decided to return to its roots and prioritize the check-in experience again.
Why is Foursquare shutting down?
Foursquare has not provided a clear explanation for its decision to close the city guide app, but the move follows major changes within the company. Earlier this year, Foursquare laid off over 100 employees as part of efforts to streamline its operations. In a post on Threads, Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley expressed his disappointment with the closure, saying, “I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I have been in a real funk these last few days over this news.”
Although the company’s official statements emphasize a renewed focus on Swarm, industry observers speculate that user behavior may drive the shift. Over time, Swarm’s check-in features garnered more engagement than the city guide’s reviews and recommendations. The company also hinted that new features will be introduced to Swarm, some of which may feel familiar to longtime users of Foursquare’s original app. These updates are expected in early 2025, and Foursquare hopes to offer a more focused and enhanced experience moving forward.
What are Foursquare’s alternatives?
With Foursquare’s city guide app shutdown, users who relied on it to discover local hotspots will look for alternatives. Here are some popular apps that serve similar purposes:
- Yelp: Known for its extensive database of user-generated reviews and ratings for businesses, Yelp offers a community-driven approach to finding local dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
- Google Maps: A well-rounded tool for navigation and exploring points of interest, user reviews, and local guides.
- TripAdvisor: A popular platform for travelers looking for reviews on hotels, restaurants, and attractions, with contributions from users worldwide.
- Swarm: Foursquare’s check-in app is gaining new features, which will be the company’s primary focus.
Despite the company’s founder’s disappointment, Foursquare is pushing forward with its renewed vision for Swarm. As the company plans new features and use cases, it may become more than a check-in app. The Foursquare team promises to continue evolving the platform and delivering fresh user updates.
For those who have long followed Foursquare’s journey, this marks the end of an era. However, with Swarm’s new features on the horizon, Foursquare’s legacy will live on, even if it’s not in the form longtime fans expected.
Image credit: Furkan Demirkaya/Ideogram
