The Future of Social Software is Reputation & Game Mechanics

April 4th, 2010 | News

Social web applications like twitter, facebook and foursquare suggest the power of reputation and game mechanics, but is it going to be the future of all social software – even enterprise ? Why not ? The rating and ranking works to build reputation and adds the competitive element – by adding gaming like stuff, it can be made fun too. Hutch’s blog on spigit throws some light around this topic :

What Foursquare Is Teaching Us

Foursquare is a fast-rising social network site where users check-in from whatever location they’re at. The "table stakes" aspect is the ability to find friends that are in a same location, and to be aware of where people have visited for future reference (e.g. when you need a recommendation). This by itself provides the core utility of the site. Similar to the core utilities of social software, as mentioned above.

But Foursquare is even better known for its game mechanics. The site has compelling attributes:

Points – vary by type of activity

Leaderboards – see who’s on top

Badges – for a wide variety of activities

Mayors – the top person checking in to a location

News flash! Turns out people like lighthearted competition, status, recognition and earning awards. Integrating these as a part of the experience, not as the entire experience, is a powerful basis for increasing people’s awareness and interest in a particular activity.