Groupon Inc (NASDAQ: GRPN ) has combated this by limiting how many coupons are sold to customers as well as time limits for purchases, but the dependency problem still lingers. Groupon sells long-term deal contracts with retailers to post the same deals periodically. The goal is to help these merchants out, but has instead been more of a short-term stimulus than creating long term customers, but businesses don't mind discounting prices to get customers through the door. A quick browse on Yelp Inc (NYSE: YELP ) mobile app shows numerous local businesses offering discounts or free items for "checking in" there, while Yelp rewards regular customers with profile badges, increasing foot traffic. The discounts are smaller (at face value) than Groupon Inc (NASDAQ: GRPN ), but Yelp's clientele also pay for premium advertising.