Gowalla was a social network app that was based on location services.
The social network was launched in 2007 and closed down in 2012 after being acquired by Facebook.
The app allowed users to check in at what was referred to as ‘spots’ in their local vicinity, either from the mobile app or via the website.
Users checking-in would sometimes produce virtual items for themselves, some that were developed to become promotional tools for their games partners.
Why was Gowalla shut down?
The check-ins could be pushed via notifications to smartphones, and by linking accounts to either Twitter or Facebook.
During the early period of December 2009, reports stated that Gowalla had raised $8.4 million in a round of venture capital funding by Greylock Partners and angel investors Chris Sacca, Kevin Rose and Jason Calacanis.
In 2012, Gowalla announced it would cease operations and users would be able to download their check-ins, photos and other relevant information. However, the site was made unavailable soon after.
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The shutting of the site took place just three months after it was acquired, with the acquisition rumoured to be one aimed at talent acquisition.
