Adding everyday locations to Maps.

[Mikeinthefalls]

Hello, Local Guides community

I’ve committed to interacting more on Connect this year, so here’s my first post of 2022!

I enjoy adding Points Of Interest to Google Maps. I often find places that might have been overlooked, or others simply assumed were already on the map. In fact, just in the last few months I’ve added a wide variety of public spaces, buildings and similar. All of those points of interest were already established, but no one had suggested that they be added to Maps. I’d take a photo or two, then locate the pin on Maps and create a potential listing.

Often, my suggested addition isn’t approved right away - but it’s very satisfying when one is! Sometimes, I’ll change the category, or add additional details and the add will be approved. However, that’s not always the case and some things I suppose just aren’t “mapworthy”?

I will list some of my successful adds (in hopes to give others places to locate) and as I become more proficient with Connect, I’ll hope to edit this and add more photos and details. Some of my recent successful additions include:

Outdoor gym

Memorial Fitness Zone

Athletic facilities

*Paddleball Courts added by @Mikeinthefalls *

Playgrounds

Smithdale P*ark and playground added my @Mikeinthefalls *

Historical buildings, sites & markers

*A historical marker added by @Mikeinthefalls *

Parks & Public Spaces

*Designated drinking area added by @Mikeinthefalls *

Public restrooms

*Public restrooms added by @Mikeinthefalls *

Shelters & pavilions

Hiking trails, parking and trailheads.

*A trail marker added by @Mikeinthefalls *

Just a week ago I added this public space off the Broadwalk (in Hollywood Beach, Florida) and over 200 people have already viewed it, in their travels … How cool is that?!

I encourage each and every local guide to take some time out of your day and look around your community, or even a new place you might be traveling - Stop to notice if maybe something that you see all the time, isn’t on Google Maps? If not, I encourage you to do your best to get it added! Sure - a few hundred views may not seem like a lot? But think of the people that were helped, as they viewed the point of interest that you added.

It’s also a great way to earn points! You can get 15 for adding a new place. If you’re working towards a badge that will also help you achieve it sooner. I just recently received my Master Trailblazer Connect badge and that’s what inspired to write this - I hope this post encourages others to improve Maps and will foster comments that will make us all better Local Guides.

[Mikeinthefalls]

Hello, Local Guides community

I’ve committed to interacting more on Connect this year, so here’s my first post of 2022!

I enjoy adding Points Of Interest to Google Maps. I often find places that might have been overlooked, or others simply assumed were already on the map. In fact, just in the last few months I’ve added a wide variety of public spaces, buildings and similar. All of those points of interest were already established, but no one had suggested that they be added to Maps. I’d take a photo or two, then locate the pin on Maps and create a potential listing.

Often, my suggested addition isn’t approved right away - but it’s very satisfying when one is! Sometimes, I’ll change the category, or add additional details and the add will be approved. However, that’s not always the case and some things I suppose just aren’t “mapworthy”?

I will list some of my successful adds (in hopes to give others places to locate) and as I become more proficient with Connect, I’ll hope to edit this and add more photos and details. Some of my recent successful additions include:
Outdoor gym
Athletic facilities
Playgrounds
Monuments
Historical buildings, sites & markers
Parks
Public restrooms
Shelters & pavilions
Hiking trails, parking and trailheads.
Just a week ago I added this public space off the Broadwalk (in Hollywood Beach, Florida) and over 200 people have already viewed it, in their travels … How cool is that?!

I encourage each and every local guide to take some time out of your day and look around your community, or even a new place you might be traveling - Stop to notice if maybe something that you see all the time, isn’t on Google Maps? If not, I encourage you to do your best to get it added! Sure - a few hundred views may not seem like a lot? But think of the people that were helped, as they viewed the point of interest that you added.

It’s also a great way to earn points! You can get 15 for adding a new place. If you’re working towards a badge that will also help you achieve it sooner. I just recently received my Master Trailblazer Connect badge and that’s what inspired to write this - I hope this post encourages others to improve Maps and will foster comments that will make us all better Local Guides.

[ErmesT]

Hi @Mikeinthefalls

Thanks for sharing your first post of 2022

I just released your post from spam quarantine, and merged with your identical one. Our filter is working to protect the community and you from unwanted content, but sometimes it can be triggered by something and remove a legitimate post.

Moderators are patrolling the quarantine to release the good post so, if your post has been rejected, don’t post it again. Simply tag a moderator (check here and here).

For more information you can read: Why was my Connect post marked as spam?

[samirgadhave]

Congratulations bro

[Mikeinthefalls]

Thank you, @ErmesT for bailing me out! As I’d stated, I don’t utilize Connect often. This would be one of the reasons why - I simply don’t find it to be user friendly. I love to share to Maps and was hoping to enjoy a knowledge exchange on Connect. Maybe I’ll figure it out one day? If not, I’ll keep posting quality edits, reviews and photos that are well received on Maps.

[Mikeinthefalls]

@samirgadhave Thank you! My best to you

[JanVanHaver]

@Mikeinthefalls the topic ‘which edits/additions are approved’ (and when this happens) is a very complex one.

I have tried to summarize the facts & speculations on it in a podcast episode - you can find that here: https://letsguidepodcast.com/2020/09/09/episode-25-verification-of-edits/

[Cercis]

@Mikeinthefalls Good idea! Do you submit these places you’d like to highlight to “new places?” Or do you write them up as entries along with your photos on your Google Map page? Have you published lists under your various categories, i.e., playgrounds, historical monuments, etc.?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Cercis

[SholaIB]

Hello @Mikeinthefalls

Congratulations on your edits and Well-done. I particularly love adding new places and editing old information as well. That’s my favourite activity on the map.

I am glad some moderators and other local guides are already replying to your post. Meanwhile I’ll be organising a virtual meet-up on Edits soon,lookout for it on the meet-up section of connect. It will be nice to have you on board. It might help you learn more about edits too.

Cheers

[samirgadhave]

Hi @SholaIB can I join the meeting from INDIA… I want to see how the experienced local guide do the best on the maps…

Please share meeting invitation link If my classes is not held at that time I’ll join too and also please share meeting time of your country or India

[Cercis]

@Mikeinthefalls This is an encouraging and educational post. I like your list. I had never thought of putting monuments on the map. Guides in the small city where I live are good about writing up parks, playgrounds, etc. I receive many views for writing in-depth factual reviews and posting informational photos for churches. Cheers!

[Mikeinthefalls]

@Cercis I’m so glad to hear that you found this post to be of value! I do my best to only share things that have worked for me, so I’m glad you found this to be educational

I like that you have found a niche and not only enjoy writing your detailed reviews, but have been getting a lot of views - that means you’re truly making a difference and helping and that’s why we do this! Kudos to you.

I’ll be posting a piece this week about a wonderful park in Pennsylvania, but my following connect piece is already in the works and will be focused on the west side of Cleveland…

[Kwiksatik]

@Mikeinthefalls I love this post! I checked your profile on Maps and it looks like you did get your Trailblazer badge - 62 places added! Congratulations!

[Cercis]

@Mikeinthefalls Thanks for your reply! Again, I enjoyed and learned a lot from this post. I look forward to your next Connect article about a Cleveland feature. It has been many decades since I moved from Cleveland. However, that is where my love of urban exploration began.