Just like the military uses badges to display rank, and scouts use them to honor accomplishments, a news site or mobile app can award digital badges to users who complete tasks or reach certain levels of engagement. The Huffington Post offers badges for connecting with other users, moderating comments and other useful behaviors. The Huffington Post uses badges in its “social news” system to encourage users to follow each other, share stories and flag inappropriate comments. Mashable awards badges to users who share content and subscribe to news topics. MORE >>

These services help companies engage with their customers and create loyalty 2.0 programs by exchanging value (offers, coupons, badges, mayorships) for tips, Originally posted on my work blog at WCGWorld.com on April 7, 2011 If you aren’t familiar with location based services, some of the top providers are foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp, Facebook Places, Whrrl and SCVNGR. MORE >>

Let customers earn points, badges, and rewards. Airline companies have been building brand loyalty for years by allowing their customers to earn points when they fly that will ultimately allow them to take trips for free in the future, once they've accrued enough points. Additionally, you can benefit from offering them badges and rewards like free shipping or gifts once they've accrued a certain number of points. How does a bank get its customers to trade their free checking accounts for checking accounts that charge a monthly fee? Use progress bars. Try out leaderboards. MORE >>

Have the Google+ Badge on your Site and Blog. Do read: Acquisition, Retention, And Building Loyalty In Social Media My Business Page is on Facebook at: [link] pervarakapadia Do join me Google+ is one more feather in your cap on the Social Media front. The question is how should you get more Traffic to your Google+ Page? Also what should you do so that they do not 'Un-friend' you. Here are a couple of points that you might want to work towards so that your Google+ Pages have a good Traffic flow which you can retain as well: Remember to update your Profile Page. Hoardings and so on. MORE >>

Foursquare awards points and badges when users check-in at locations (check-ins can be done via a mobile phone with internet access or a computer). Businesses can engage and reward consumers by providing deals and discounts to Foursquare users that hold certain badges for checking in and patronizing their business. Enticing specials such as these are offered to keep bringing people back to “oust&# the Mayor so that they may benefit from these exclusive deals.  You will also notice that uploading a photo is an option. But, fear not! There is a solution! Get creative! MORE >>