Foursquare Introduces Local Updates for Merchants

Today, Foursquare has announced a new feature that will allow local merchants to send updates to those who've check in frequently at the given establishment. Called Foursquare Local Updates, the service will automatically send messages, offers and/or photos when the person is within proximity. Messages can contain offers or they can simply be friendly welcome messages or urgings to stop in and check things out.

These messages will come in the form of updates to the stream next to check ins, tips and likes as opposed to arriving as a push notification.