Social media has made today’s marketing less about controlling the message and more about asking questions. While Twitter and Facebook want to know what’s happening, Foursquare and other location-based social networks wonder, “Where are you?”

For those unfamiliar with Foursquare, the service lets users “check in” to a location via their smartphones or laptops and logs their positions on a map that others can see. The more you check in, the more badges and bragging rights you earn.

“The X-factor appeal of Foursquare is in its social currency,” says David Berkowitz, senior director of emerging media and innovation at digital agency 360i. “Giving Foursquare users these badges for completing explicit tasks adds an element of surprise, like a scavenger hunt.”  The badges also help users show off their interests to others, enabling them to connect with like-minded people and keep the “game” going.

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CNN published an article about the next big social media thing…Foursquare. Claiming to be a “highly addictive” application, Foursquare rivals competitors like Loopt, but offers a “virtual game in which participants earn badges for checking in at various locations.” But why, with so many social media applications out there do people predict this will be the next big thing? First, it’s developers have already gained success making and selling apps to Google, and founder of Twitter Jack Dorsey has invested, which is sure to strengthen a partnership rather than competition. By predicting this to be the next big thing gets Foursquare’s story in front of people, but what do you think? With 18 million Twitter users proposed by the end of this year, are people ready for yet another app?