SEO Linking Goes Local: Foursquare, Gowalla, and MyTown
Jul 27
The internet offers information on a global scale, but sometimes, local is better. If you’re looking for a haircut in Brooklyn, for example, finding out about a Beverly Hills salon with dirt-cheap rastes isn’t going to be much help. That’s why local social sites like Foursquare, Gowalla, and MyTown have proven themselves so useful — not to mention SEO linking services like AnewB.com.
Foursquare
Boasting about one million members, Foursquare encourages a friendly, competitive environment where users earn badges and rewards for visiting local business. Foursquare has only recently expanded its coverage beyond large cities, however, and it’s non-GPS check-in system can be gamed by in-the-know users.
Gowalla
Although often considered a major Foursquare competitor, Gowalla has only about a quarter as many members. Gowalla has tapped into areas where Foursquare is not a central force, but the site is limited by its small size and the fact that, until recently, mobile programs were unavailable on most major phones.
MyTown
Believe it or not, MyTown has two million members — more than Foursquare and Gowalla combined! MyTown is only available to iPhone users, but even among this subset, the potential for off page SEO should not be overlooked.
