The TrendWatch

Foursquare’s popularity is spawning a badge phenomenon. People from all walks of life, not just boy scouts and girl scouts, are addicted to getting the next badge.

While most brands are jumping on Foursquare’s ‘badge-wagon’, a few rogue brands are creating merit badge systems all to their own.

Here’s a look at three kinds of badges you can’t get on Foursquare:

1) Subaru Badges of Ownership

In a nod to its outdoorsy and loyal owners, Subaru created a Badge of Ownership program. The response from Subaru fans is along the lines of “Pretty badass promotion, and it’s FREE.” The only criticism has been the need for more hobbies, as one owner points out: “I wish they had more badges which aligned with my interests (guns, reading, video games) but this is a good start.”

2) Huffington Post Badges

In order to boost reader engagement, the Huffington Post created a beta system of badges. So far readers can win three badges – known as the “Networker” badge, the “Superuser” badge and the “Moderator” badge – which are based on the amount of activity readers engage in. Perhaps an indication that the program is working, HuffPo is looking to add a fourth badge and is wisely challenging readers to name it.

3) Nerd Merit Badges

“Attach them to your jacket, your backpack, or the lid of your over-clocked, battle-scarred laptop” – however you attach them, Nerd Merit Badges are the real deal and they’re attempting to make fashion statements out of everyday achievements. There’s even a semi-controversial Foursquare Douchebag badge sprayed with a mixture of that certain “Abercrombie store smell”. Besides the badges being real, what’s interesting is that the makers are really web developers.

While one could argue that each of the aforementioned ideas are nothing new, what’s interesting is how they all tweak the merit badge system just enough to stand out. As Foursquare’s influence grows, look for more brands to jump on its ‘badge-wagon’ or to create merit badge systems all to their own.

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