Some Crazy Postbellum Data From Foursquare And Gowalla
MG Siegler is a general partner at CrunchFund and a columnist for TechCrunch, where he has been writing since 2009. His focus is on Apple.
Prior to TechCrunch, MG covered various technology beats for VentureBeat.
Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. He’s previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in... → Learn More
Now that SXSW is fully over, it’s time to start going over some of the data from the so-called Location War between Foursquare and Gowalla. The truth is that both saw an amazing surge in usage, and at least according to data I saw from one source, the two were neck and neck midway through the event (in terms of usage). Today, I asked them both to share some of their own internal recent data, seeing as both SXSW happened — and then both were featured in Apple’s App Store last week.
GigaOm posted some numbers earlier today, including that during the five days of SXSW (Interactive), Foursquare signed up 75,000 new users, to push them over 600,000 total. We got some other numbers from both Foursquare and Gowalla, as well.
- Foursquare is closing in on 400,000 check-ins a day during peak times. Last weekend, they hit an all-time high of 382,000 check-ins in one day (network-wide). Compare this to last month when they saw a then-record 1 million check-ins a week.
- Gowalla saw 135,000 check-ins during SXSW — just in and around downtown Austin, TX (where SXSW is held).
- Some 5,800 people checked-in with Gowalla during the conference, which is a strong percentage of the total estimated attendance of somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000.
- The Austin Convention Center, The Hilton, Stubb’s BBQ, and The Driskill (hotel), all saw over 1,000 check-ins on Gowalla during SXSW. 600 people checked-in at the controversial Ev Williams keynote.
- Foursquare has now signed up almost 120,000 in the past 10 days (this is up from their stated 100,000 in 10 days right before SXSW).
- The iPhone is still dominating total Foursquare check-ins with 66% network-wide. The App Store feature undoubtedly helped keep that number so high despite it being on all of the major mobile platforms now.
- BlackBerry Foursquare usage is surging following the launch of that app. Last month, right after it launched, BlackBerry contributed 11% of total Foursquare check-ins — now that number is at 16%.
- Android Foursquare check-in numbers are slightly falling. Since the iPhone didn’t lose any check-in share, obviously someone had to, and that was Android. It went from 13% share last month, to 10% in the past 10 days.
- The mobile web is also taking a big hit with regard to Foursquare check-ins. It was at 7% a month ago, now it’s at 3% as people get used to the new mobile apps, undoubtedly.
- Since the launch of version 2.0 of its app with comments and pictures, Gowalla has seen some 40,000 photos uploaded. The photo feature should be added to the webOS and Android clients in a week or so.
Neither company had any specific data as to whether they’re seeing a surge after Apple featured their apps in the App Store because it’s too hard to tell seeing as there was already a surge post-SXSW, I’m told. The App Store placement, assuming Apple keeps it up for a while, should help both maintain the momentum they have after the event.
[photo: flickr/zhengxu]
Foursquare is a geographical location based social network that incorporates gaming elements.
Users share their location with friends by “checking in” via a smartphone app or by text message. Points are awarded for checking in at various venues. Users can connect their Foursquare accounts to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, which can update when a check in is registered. By checking in a certain number of times, or in different locations, users can collect virtual badges. In addition, users...
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Gowalla is a mobile and web service that gives people around the world a new way to communicate and express themselves through the everyday places and extraordinary settings they enjoy.
People can capture and share their spot in the world with friends and family, while discovering new places, events and trips as they go. Gowalla offers businesses, campaigns, and organizations the unique opportunity to reward loyalty, reach new consumers, and to create memorable experiences.
Based in Austin, Texas, Gowalla was...
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