Photo #1; Caption: Cover photo designed in Canva with the title.
Hello friends,
We all use Google Maps and proudly contribute to it. When we make an honest contribution to Google Maps, we may not realise it then, but every word and picture/video we share can become a guiding light for thousands of people.
Today, I want to talk about Google Maps ‘Reviews’. Many respectable Moderators have already discussed this topic before me; you may surely love this article shared by Google Moderator about how reviews on Google Maps work. Also, you must have gotten a lot of helpful information about how to write helpful shop reviews and many more from Google and Connect Moderators.
The Google Maps review is a feature that people turn to first for guidance when they plan to visit a place. Your reviews help to share your experiences with the world. Though a single-line review (sometimes a story can be told in just one sentence) is not technically wrong, a detailed review with contextual photos/videos can help much more.
What should a Google Maps review be like?
Before visiting a place, I try to understand it first and then honestly share my impressions in the Google Maps review, whether it is positive or negative, with as many details as possible. Most of my reviews are positive, not because I never had a negative experience, but because I don’t form a fixed opinion about a place based on just one bad visit; I consider that, maybe it was just a bad day for them.
But sometimes it’s necessary to send a message to that place and its management because I believe that the owners of a place do read Google Maps reviews. Often, the owners or managers respond to your reviews, assuring improvements.
For example, you can see my Google Maps review of Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. I noticed the same situation during my second visit to this sacred place, so I had to write about it.
*Photo #2; Caption: Sample reviews by TG & @AjitThite *
When I visit a place, I always take note of the following things and include them in my reviews. This way, anyone who reads the review can get proper guidance:
- The first thing I always do is notice the overall idea/description and general feel of the place.
- Then, I notice the entrance of the place. It’s important to check if it’s
accessible for visitors ( 
or not), especially if someone is differently abled, like a wheelchair user. - The next thing to note is the parking facility - whether parking is available for cars and two-wheelers? Whether you have to park on the street, or is there a dedicated parking area where you can safely park your vehicle for free or by paying a fee? If there’s no parking available, your review can help others make alternative arrangements, like using an online taxi or ride service.
- If you’re visiting a restaurant, how is the overall ambience, hygiene, service and quality of the food? Are they Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian (with sufficient options for vegetarians)? (I always check this since I’m a pure vegetarian). It’s also important to consider whether the food and drinks are reasonably priced for what you’re getting.
- If you’re at a tourist attraction, is photography allowed? If you’re at a religious site, are there any specific protocols that all visitors should follow? Additionally, consider whether the site has its own protocols that must be followed, such as safety guidelines if you’re in a forest or hilly area, which are often provided by the management.
- Though I have visited 36 countries, I have not reviewed any international airports/ destinations recently; however, it will be very useful to notice whether internet connectivity is available in the airports. If Yes, is it free, if so, for how much time) or else what is the cost per hour - also, whether a SIM card is available at the airport and its cost, formalities to get it issued, etc.
- Information about washrooms is very important, especially when visiting a place with family. Knowing whether there’s a washroom available can help finalize your visit plans. This is particularly crucial if you have an elder family member or someone who uses a wheelchair, as having an
accessible-friendly washroom can make the difference between a relaxing visit and a stressful one. - Let us also be alert that we strictly follow ‘The Google Maps User-Generated Content Policy’; also, let our reviews always retain credibility and coherence.
- What we ‘should Not’ do in my opinion? :
- I always avoid using the names of individuals in my reviews, especially if it is a 1 or 2-star review.
- Unbalanced, biased reviews will hurt your credibility - be careful.
- Don’t write 1 or 2-star reviews without properly explaining why you are doing so.
Adding helpful Photos & Videos:
Adding clear and helpful photos of food items or the environment will be a great support to make the right decision, quickly. In fact, videos(up to 30 seconds only) are more helpful, if captured properly.
The points I’ve listed above are probably just a few, and there’s definitely much more that can be added. There are many other aspects we can observe and note when visiting a place; you may also create a list of yours, please. I will share a separate post regarding the above information soon.
What to do after noting down all these points?
Once you’ve noted everything, publish your experience in the Google Maps review so that this can benefit a future visitor who plans to visit the same place.
After mentally noting these points, include them in your Google Maps review (you can add or remove points depending on the specific place) - remember to keep it totally relevant to the particular destination. Then, read your Google Maps review again, pretending you are visiting this place for the first time. If you feel guided and informed by your own review, then you’ve written a perfect Google Maps review, one that will guide thousands of visitors after you.
Importance of Emojis in Google Maps Reviews :
Try to, consider using emojis in your Google Maps review. When someone first looks at a review, the emojis are what catches their eye. For example, if you visit a place that is accessibility-friendly, using the wheelchair emoji can be very helpful. If you had a great experience, using emojis like 
can immediately convey to the reader that you had a fantastic time, even before they read the full review. For better understanding, this detailed article,A behind the scenes look at emoji reactions in Google Maps by Google Moderator will be very helpful for us.
Besides the (& related) emojis, I have found a few other useful ones:
or Overall experience OK/Good, 
Excellent (5-star) experience, etc.
Airconditioned = Yes, No
Family-friendly = Yes, No, 
Children friendly,
Smoking allowed, 
Smoking not allowed
🛜 WiFi Enabled, 
, Credit card not accepted
Different food items: 
Veg, 
NonVeg, 
Ice Crem, etc.
car parking is available (Some of them, as samples)
Google Maps reviews in Your Local Language:
More importantly, besides English, you can also write your Google Maps review in your local language. This has two benefits: first, local people will be able to read your review without difficulty, and second, for those who don’t understand that language, Google Maps has an auto-translation feature. So, this makes it easier for everyone.
The Google Maps review can only be a detailed, helpful, and true guide to others when you capture the moments and experiences you had there and put them into words/photos/videos in your review. When you do that, the joy you’ll feel when people see and benefit from your review is something unique, just like the satisfaction we get when helping a stranger in real life. And still, if you see any harmful, misleading, abusive, or inappropriate language in any Google Maps review of anyone, you have the option to report it.
I hope you liked my article, and I apologize in advance if I missed any important points. Feel free to suggest any improvements in the comments, and I also invite the respected Google Moderator @DeniGu to review this article and let me know if there’s anything that needs changes.
Tips:
Suggested by our @MortenCopenhagen :
- …it is important to ensure your conclusion is in the first 2-3 lines. (more details)
