In its effort to facilitate its users in finding the best places to visit, check-in social network Foursquare recently announced its updated app for iOS devices, along with the launch of a 10-point rating system for local businesses.

As a result of Foursquare's new rating system, a 1-to-10 ranking would be seen next to the names of local businesses. The ranking, as per Foursquare, has been ascertained on the basis of the use of a wide array of metrics, including popularity, loyalty, tips, likes, dislikes, check-ins and local expertise.

Although the ranking system which Foursquare has launched marks the fact that the check-in social network is treading even further into the Yelp terrain, Foursquare has asserted in an official blog post that the ranking system which it is launching is "a lot different" from the ranking systems which are currently in place from competitors.

Noting that the score rankings in Foursquare's rating system underscore the use of the "same Foursquare magic that powers Explore," Foursquare said in the blog post that, in the case of most of the other rating sites, almost every business is generally given 3.5 stars.

To further reiterate the superiority of its 10-point rating system as compared to the existing rating services, Foursquare said: "With every check-in and Explore search, our scores will get smarter and better."