The new iPhone map application that will take over for Google maps will have a feature for checking into places with Yelp. So this will give you the ability to share where you are with friends like with Facebook. The nice thing about this is that you don’t have to leave the Apple map app to mark that you have checked in to a place it is all done right through the actual program, unlike with checking in with facebook you can’t just check in through a map program you have to check in through the facebook app. This integration will help Yelp become tops in check in software as it is trying to beat out the likes of Foursquare labs and Facebook. This will also help Yelp with advertising, currently Yelp’s local advertising made up 70% of the revenue in 2011 and being able to check in at a local spot with maybe a coupon attached to it could draw a lot of local companies into advertising with Yelp. Currently based on research done by the Pew Research Center 18% of adult smartphone owners check into places. This map feature will be included into the iOS6 updates coming soon.
