Twitter have recently announced that they will soon offer the ability to include location data with tweets. Users will be able to have their approximate location shown alongside each tweet and have this data mapped. The feature will be entirely opt-in so users need not worry that their whereabouts will be broadcast without their knowledge.
One the data about tweet locations is collected users will presumably be able to see new tweets on interactive maps as well as browse by location. Being able to see what people in specific places are saying will be useful for keeping up to date with unfolding news events. It might also help us to become more involved in local events and see what is actually going on in our neighborhoods rather than online.
A possible negative aspect (or positive depending on your point of view) would be the ability of small businesses to reach out to those nearby. This could be a problem as marketers seem to be all over Twitter at the moment, although if this becomes a problem opting out is always an option.
Read about the changes on the Twitter blog here.
Tagged: maps, microblogging, Technology, twitter
Excited about the Tweet Location Service — hmmph — just in time to work hand and hand with the new “mobile” tab on Google Analytics, and as you state above — that could be a good thing (or not – depending on how you see it). Outstanding workThomas, thanks for your informative post and by all means… keep them coming
.-= ´s last blog ..Boost Mobile On Your Smartphone. =-.