On its recently redesigned website, Foursquare released its Explore feature which aims for a more “personalized search for the real world” for its users. From its mobile app, the location-based social network takes the big leap by including the feature on its web version. The new feature basically includes better keyword search and filters to let users dig the search results deeper. With that, the location-based social media is now called a “local search engine.”

How Foursquare Explore Works

Explore’s web version is basically a personalized search engine that provides Foursquare’s best picks of places to visit. It is powered by location-based social network’s large database of check-ins, tips, personal preferences, and your friend’s activities. Users can see the Explore button on the upper-right hand of the website. It will open a pop-up window, where people can search for a location based on business name or categories. In turn, it will present locations that can be found nearby.

Explore Search

Foursquare’s search engine is enhanced by typing specific queries. The search result page will show relevant content and users who talked about the search keyword-related places. Additionally, the “tips” is now also incorporated in the search results.

The good thing about this feature is that is shows personalized results based on you and your friends’ check-ins. The Explore feature can also help you plan your next weekend getaway to your desired town or country with its tailored top picks based on your hometown check-ins. Meaning, users can pick a place they want to visit next, and check relevant recommendations based on the places that he or she frequents in his or her hometown. So the more you use Foursquare, the better they become in presenting relevant recommendations.

Additional Filters

Other than scrolling through the page, users can also filter their search results by using these additional options:

• “I haven’t been to yet”
• “I have been to before”
• “My friends have been to”
• “Have Foursquare specials”

The location-based social network shared that more filters will be added soon depending on how users will interact with it. The additional filter and enhanced search engine of Foursquare’s Explore can really engage users and grant them practical incentives for increased participation.

 

Foursquare’s Head of Product Alex Rainert shared, “We want people to think of Foursquare as a place to store all the things they want to do.” With their Explore feature now hitting the Web, the location-based social network has definitely evolved from a mainstream geo-tagging product into a local search tool.

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