Urbanspoon: Participating in what you eat

Urbanspoon's interactive interface has turned it into a 'foodie' phenomenon

I can’t remember the last time I went to a restaurant without checking it out on Urbanspoon. When it comes to dining out, I always like to do my research. Whether it is just to get a grasp of what’s available on the menu(s), or to read about the general jive of a place its handy to have reviews, pictures and ratings, and the ability to make a reservation (see video on 'Rezbook' below) just a click away.

Urbanspoon’s successes lay in the websites collation of blog and critic reviews and user content. Its nature of interactivity puts individuals in partial control of online content; as Darley (2000, p. 156) states as “taking a leading role in what occurs, given the means to control – at least in part”. Although Darley discusses interactivity regarding games, it too can be experienced through social media websites.

Urbanspoon doesn’t require you to sign-up to view its content, anybody can read reviews and look a Instagram shot food pictures. To review, upload and well, ‘interact’, you must first create a profile. This grants users the ability to structure online representations of themselves, much like the creation of a character in a video game. From signing up, the ability to review, comment and slander restaurants you didn’t like, or bow down in praise to those you do, all begins.

Al Deen et. al. state that “Online social networking typically offers opportunities for expression that are less restrictive” (2011, p.3). The ability to construct a representation to 'hide behind' has produced the ability for users to be more honest without scrutiny – putting the prosumers in the drivers seat like never before - with an international audience online. 

Anybody could be a reviewer and have some say in deciding if a restaurant is popular enough to be considered in the ‘Talk of the town’ section. It is this Interactivity that allows users to 'intervene' a form of control; uploading and commenting on content to distinguish its 'like-ability' to other users.

The popularity of Urbanspoon has seen a shift of focus from listening to the critic to listening to the public. The Age’s Good Food guide was formerly my year long culinary bible throughout my apprenticeship, but being the opinionated person i am, the participatory media culture of Urbanspoon has now taken over!

Thanks for reading, Till next time...

Reference List:

Al-Deen, .N, Hana, .S & Hendricks J.A 2011, Social Media: Usage and Impact, Lexington Books, retrieved September 7^th 2013, http://www.deakin.eblib.com.au.ezproxy-f.deakin.edu.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=795614

Raessens, J. 2005, ‘Computer games as participatory media culture’, Handbook of

Computer ­Game Studies, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373-388