Why it exists
Most of us would do more things if we knew other people were going. A pickup game needs four. A board game needs a table's worth. A run is easier with company. Usually there's no way to know who's up for it, so nobody goes.
FolkAround makes that visible: who's doing what nearby, and when. It isn't a social network. There's no feed, no followers and nothing to scroll. It's a success when you close it and go somewhere.
How plans work
A plan is a place, a time and an activity. There are three kinds, and a way to ask before you pick a time.
- HERE I'm here now
- Let people nearby know you're somewhere right now: the courts are open, there's room at the table.
- GOING I'm going later
- A set plan for later today or another day. It happens whoever else comes.
- IF I'll go if enough people join
- Set a minimum, like four for doubles. The plan waits until enough people are in. When they are, it's on, and everyone who joined is told. If it doesn't fill in time, it's called off, so nobody shows up to an empty court.
- FEELER Not sure when yet?
- Ask a group or a few friends when, where or what. See who's in and what works for most people, then make it a plan.
Anyone who sees a plan can join it, say they're interested, or say they can't make it. A plan can have a short thread of notes for the details, and the notes go away about a day after the plan ends.
See what's happening nearby
The map shows where people are gathering: plans happening right now, plans for later, and when places are usually busy. Pick what you're into, such as pickleball, board games or running, and see where it happens.
Places get to know their own rhythms. People who go to a place can say when it's usually active, so the map is useful even when nobody has posted a plan yet.
Groups and invites
Make a group for your friends, family, team or club, and plan just with them. Short a player? Open a few spots on the plan to people nearby who are into the same thing.
You can also invite people straight to a plan by sending a link. Friends without an account can still say they're in, with just their name.
Private by design
We collect as little as we can. We don't sell your information, we don't show ads, and nobody else sees your phone's location: a plan shows the place you picked, never your position. You choose who sees each plan: people nearby, one of your groups, or only the people you invite.
You need to be 13 or older. Accounts for 13 to 17 year olds have extra protections: they plan only within their own groups, and only people in those groups can see them. The privacy policy has the details.
For venues
Run a gym, café, brewery, game store or rec center? Claim your place in the app to keep its details right and post official events, like open play or trivia night. Events are marked as yours, so nobody mistakes them for someone's plan. And paying never changes how busy a place looks on the map.
Where it works
FolkAround works in your phone's browser or on your computer, with nothing to download. On a phone you can add it to your home screen and get notifications, like any other app.
We're starting in Atlanta, so that's where you'll find the most going on. It works anywhere, though: add the places you go and bring your people.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Making plans, joining them and running groups is free, and there are no ads.
What's an IF plan?
An RSVP with a minimum. Say you'll play doubles if three others will: set the minimum to four, and the plan waits. Once four people are in, it's on, and everyone who joined gets a notification. If it doesn't fill in time, it's called off and everyone is told, so nobody shows up to an empty court.
What's a feeler?
A question for one of your groups or a few friends before there is a plan: which evening works, which place, or what to do. Everyone answers, you see what works for most people, and you make it a plan. Feelers aren't public: only the people you ask see them.
How do I find people nearby for pickleball, board games or anything else?
Pick what you're into, and the map shows where it happens nearby: plans now and later, and when places are usually busy. Join a plan, or suggest your own with the minimum it needs.
Do my friends need the app?
Not to come along. Send them a plan's link and they can say they're in with just their name. They'll want an account to make plans of their own or join a group.
How is this different from a group chat or an events site?
A group chat only reaches people you already know to ask, and an events site lists what someone has organized. FolkAround sits in between: anyone can suggest a plan, people nearby who are into the same thing can see it, and an IF plan only becomes a thing once enough people are in.
Can people see where I am?
No. FolkAround uses your location only to show you what's near you, and only when you allow it. Others see the place and time of a plan you post, never your location.
Can my business post events?
Yes. Find your place in the app and claim it. Once we've checked that it's yours, you can post official events and see how they're doing.
How do I delete my account?
From Me in the app. Everything that's yours is deleted right away.