The Ingenuity of Location-Based Social Apps
Global feeds and topic-based discussion forums are fun and often fulfill several social media needs. However, when it comes to local needs, these platforms often fail, which is why many people turn to location-based social apps, as they allow you to interact with people in the same location as you.
But how can they tell where you are? Well, they rely on geo-social technology, which takes advantage of GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile data to determine your actual location. Once they can verify this, they assign you to the specific community within your area and filter the content such that you only see posts that are relevant to where you are.
Jodel is a great example of this. By allowing people to post anonymously to the platform and ensuring that the content is only visible to people within a specific range, this network allows users to share local updates, chatter, and even inside jokes. It is especially popular among students in Europe for this very reason.
Another great location-based app is Nextdoor, which allows users to connect with the people living close to them. This way, they get access to local updates, from news to safety alerts and recommendations. People even buy and sell things on the platform.
Regardless of the setup, these location-based apps aim to create a space where locals can interact with each other on the aspects that matter most to them, thus creating a much more intimate setting compared to global platforms that cater to people from all over the world.
Why Do Users Choose Location-Based Apps?
With global social media apps enabling people to connect with anyone from anywhere, why would someone want to limit who they interact with online? Well, the reasons boil down to relevance and intimacy.
Resourcefulness is a major factor in this case. Sometimes, posts only matter to people who are affected by the situation or who can help out. For instance, a post about a lost pet will do better if it is available to people in that local community. The same can be said about local events and recommendations.
Besides local help, many people love location-based apps as they provide them with a direct tie to the local communities. They get to know what is happening, who lives near them, fun things they can do, what they can do to help people affected by local issues, and the list goes on. The more that people engage with those living near them, the more they feel like part of the community, which strengthens their sense of belonging.
Interactions on these apps also tend to feel more genuine as the posts are often curated for that specific audience, unlike in global platforms.
Are Local-Based Social Apps Safe?
Given that users have to share their location data with local apps, are these platforms safe? Well, some apps like Nextdoor require real names and addresses, which results in the sharing of sensitive details. Users thus have concerns about how their data is stored and used, as such information can be used for the wrong reasons. But on the other hand, apps like Jodel, which allow anonymity, create a loophole where users can engage in misinformation and trolling because they know their identities are safe. Therefore, users are encouraged to understand the risks of joining such apps and to take measures to protect themselves while reaping the benefits of local content.