Foursquare is getting too big for its mobile britches. The location-base social networking service announced that its Explore feature is now available for the Web.
In a blog post Thursday, the company said that this was a step towards foursquare’s bigger vision. The Explore tab coming to desktops means its not just about quick suggestions on the go anymore, the company is competing with recommendations sites such as Yelp or Zagat.
One of the company founders, Dennis Crowley, told the New York Times, “We’re getting to the point where we can flex our data and tell you, ‘we think you’ll like this place.’”
The New York-based location sharing startup has plenty to bring to the table, with its expansive (and expanding) 1.5 billion check-ins, as well as millions of tips. The Explore feature for the Web allows users to plan deeper; reaching through the companies database to explore destinations all around the world, rather than being limited to your current locale. The interface also comes with an upgrade as well, with more to see on your screen and detailed info in the left-hand box.
The 1.5 billion check-in powered search doesn’t just help you find that specific place your craving, it helps you find the place your friends were craving as well. The search is, of course, personalized by using your friend’s data to help you find recommendations you trust—from anywhere they’ve been in the world. This will most likely give foursquare an edgewhen compared to the “one-size-fits-all approach” of many recommendation sites.
“We’re the flip side of the daily deal model that sends people into businesses who will never return. We know where you and your friends like to go and what will be trending later on,” Crowley said.
