City Guide app by Foursquare to be replaced with new Swarm app

Foursquare has announced that it will officially sunset its City Guide app on December 15, 2024, marking the end of an era for the platform that has long served users in discovering local businesses, venues, and attractions. The decision, while difficult, is driven by the company’s intent to concentrate efforts on its companion app, Swarm, which will now become the central focus for users seeking check-ins and location-based engagement.

Foursquare to sunset City Guide app in December 2024

For loyal users of Foursquare City Guide, this closure signals the transition towards a more streamlined experience. As of December 15, 2024, the mobile app will no longer be accessible, and users will be unable to log in via their devices. However, Foursquare is extending access to the City Guide’s web platform until early 2025, allowing users time to retrieve any necessary data and adjust to the changes. Though the exact date for the web version's sunset has yet to be announced, Foursquare has assured users they will receive timely notifications of any updates.

The rationale behind the closure reflects Foursquare’s strategic priorities. By sunsetting the City Guide, the company aims to reallocate resources to Swarm, an app with similar functionality but with additional features. Swarm will see ongoing updates and new capabilities throughout 2024 and 2025. This shift will enhance the overall user experience and introduce innovative ways to interact with location-based content.

For businesses, there is minimal disruption. Business listings currently featured on City Guide will remain visible on Swarm, ensuring continued exposure and discoverability. Foursquare’s Places data, a valuable asset for local businesses, will continue to reach users through Swarm and the company’s partnerships with major platforms that rely on Foursquare’s comprehensive location information. This means businesses can rest assured their data will remain intact across Foursquare’s ecosystem, even as City Guide phases out.

Swarm app to become central hub for check-ins and location-based engagement

In anticipation of the closure, Foursquare has made efforts to facilitate a smooth transition for its users. There will be no need for data migration from City Guide to Swarm, as users’ credentials and check-in history are already integrated within the Swarm platform. Upon logging into Swarm with their existing City Guide credentials, users will find that their personal content, such as tips, ratings, and photos, is seamlessly transferred to the appropriate venue pages within Swarm. Additionally, their “My Saved Places” lists will be available, allowing for continuity in discovering favorite locations.

While Swarm offers similar functionalities to City Guide, the app also provides a broader, more interactive platform for social engagement. Users can log their visits, share experiences with friends, and build a personal lifelog of locations. Over the coming months, new features inspired by City Guide will be introduced to Swarm, helping bridge any gaps users might feel during the transition. Foursquare has hinted that some of these new updates will be familiar to City Guide users, offering a sense of continuity even as the company embarks on a new path with Swarm.

Despite the closure of City Guide, Foursquare has confirmed that it does not currently plan to develop a direct replacement app. Instead, the focus will be on expanding Swarm to meet the evolving needs of users. This will include unlocking new use cases and supporting a wide range of user needs through continuous improvements.

For users who wish to preserve their City Guide data, Foursquare has provided a way to export lists and check-in history. This ensures that valuable personal content from years of City Guide usage can be saved and accessed at any time. The instructions for exporting data are readily available, and users are encouraged to take advantage of this before the final shutdown.

As the City Guide journey comes to an end, Foursquare invites users to continue exploring and engaging through the Swarm app. With ongoing updates and a strong focus on user experience, Swarm offers an opportunity to rediscover the joy of check-ins and personal location histories. Foursquare’s commitment to improving Swarm ensures that users will still have a platform to share their favorite spots and stay connected to the places that matter most.