Things I've Learned About the App: Unfound

When analyzing the qualitative data surrounding reactions to the Unfound app, there were some reactions specific to Foodies, as well as some reactions that remained constant across both groups (Foodies and Social Eaters).

​

FOODIE REACTION TO UNFOUND

When reacting to Unfound, people who felt closer to the Foodie community tended to enjoy that they could find places they hadn't previously heard of; this is in line with their desire to gain knowledge about new cuisines and dishes. Many Foodies also expressed excitement about this being a way to increase the likelihood of finding new places to eat or dishes to try, which makes sense considering that Foodies tend to have a taste for trying new dishes and finding new places. However, many Foodies said that they wouldn't use this app or that they would be less likely to use this app because they already have a "routine" or that there are "better competitor[s]." Part of the cultural capital that many foodies share is knowledge of good places to find restaurant reviews, and a site that doesn't offer something new or better than existing sites will not contribute to that cultural capital.

​

OVERALL REACTION TO UNFOUND

One recommendation that remained constant across many different types of interviewees was that they want reviewers to be verified. People want to know that they can trust reviews, and this is a value across the board, not just for Foodies. Another reaction tied to reliability was that people wanted more recommendations about the same restaurants and for restaurants to have their own pages. By having multiple reviews of a restaurant in the same place, Unfound users can get a feel for the average review, which would be a more trustworthy overall review. Interviewees also commented on the confusing nature of the navigation system, especially the buttons; this was a more tactical critique shared by Foodies and Social Eaters alike.