texturism:

the new feature puts foursquare more squarely in competition with business recommendation sites and travel guides like yelp, zagat and frommer’s.

“local recommendation sites have a one-size-fits-all approach,” mr. crowley said. “everyone is seeing recommendation through the same lens. this way, we’re leveraging data from everyone’s check-ins to tell you what’s interesting.”

mr. crowley said he was especially encouraged by new users to foursquare who were downloading the app and opening it on a regular basis — but not to check in. “we’re seeing people hunting for nearby specials or just looking at tips and recommendations,” he said. “people are using the app for everything else.”

mr. crowley also said that the explore feature hints at how foursquare’s business model may begin to take shape over the coming months.

“we’re going for a loyalty play,” mr. crowley said. “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.

- @dens, NYT: foursquare wants to plan your next meal - and vacation

more on trust + loyalty.