We’re excited to continue the Ask a Googler series with our guest, Kristen, a Product Marketing Manager leading the charge on Community Experiences for Local Guides. In our previous post, we invited you to ask questions about our community, share your ideas for new content on Connect, and more.
Before we dive into your questions and suggestions, we asked Kristen to tell us more about herself.
Are you a Local Guide? Why or why not?
I am, yes! I have a personal account where I share reviews, photos, and a few videos after learning more from Masa last year!
What’s your favorite type of information to contribute on Google Maps?
I prefer to write reviews or share photos but try to update the hours of operation whenever possible. I rely on this so much I want to be a good member of the community and help others who may rely on it, too.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Anywhere! I’m always game to visit a new place. I really believe there’s something to be learned anywhere and everywhere.
What’s the one question your friends and family always ask you about working at Google/on Google Maps?
My parents have just retired and are part of a cycling group and they’ve been very curious about bike directions (mainly how to ensure they are taking the flatest route possible). My husband is interested in driving directions (we always get tripped up by closures around the Holland Tunnel).
Local Guides Q&A with Kristen
Editor’s note: Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity or grouped together.
Questions about Connect and the community
@FalguniP asked: What is your favorite thing about our community? What is your recommendation for keeping the community engaged?
Answer: My favorite thing is the people! I really appreciate how passionate everyone is about helping one another in all sorts of ways. I think it’s important that we continue to be respectful and caring of everyone that participates. We (Google) also need to continue to ask for feedback to make sure we’re meeting the needs of the community; it’s also important to innovate and try new things!
@KamalHossenR asked: What strategies have you found most effective in fostering a sense of community?
Answer: I think respect and a shared purpose are really important. If you know that anyone you’ll meet here is going to respect you and is interested in the same things you are, it makes everything else a bit easier.
@AbdullahAM asked: What is your favorite feature in Connect?
Answer: All of you! This active, enthusiastic community is the best part of Connect. I really appreciate all of the feedback and ideas you all continue to share to make things even better.
@Amiran asked: Not all Google Maps users and even Local Guides know that there is a great community for them here on Connect. Is there a plan to promote Connect in Google Maps?
Answer: This is definitely something we’ve talked about, but there are no solid plans at the moment.
@PaulPavlinovich and @davidhyno asked: Connect is more suitable for a small user community around a product, not a massive community of millions of active Local Guides. Will we ever take that next step and make Maps truly social?
Answer: I can’t speak to the product roadmap for Maps but I know the teams continue to think about all the best ways to support users as they explore the world.
@Amiran also asked: In the first years of the Local Guides program, there was support for unofficial local communities. Are there plans to have specific boards for each country on Connect?
Answer: I really appreciate this feedback. I think we can definitely explore this and other ways to better connect smaller communities.
@AdamGT, @ChiaraMariaC, @Lukas_, and @SholaIB asked: What are the possible ways of enhancing Connect in the long-term? Like adding new topics/boards, new features, or providing better content creation tools.
Answer: This is a great, and very important question. We’re working on some things behind the scenes to address these concerns and look forward to sharing more.
@ChiaraMariaC asked: I lead unofficial Local Guides Facebook groups. Is there anything planned for making a bridge? It would be great if there would be a connection between unofficial communities on other social media platforms and Connect.
Answer: I’d love to learn more about what you like and value from the unofficial communities and groups you’re a part of. If it’s something that we could incorporate here, I’d like to hear about it.
@NareshDarji and @mäkky asked: How to make the community more welcoming and inclusive? Encourage more female contributors and ethnic groups to participate.
Answer: Thank you for raising this — it’s incredibly important that we are welcoming and inclusive to everyone. I think it comes back to what I said earlier about ensuring respect for everyone and highlighting the shared goals and purpose of the community. If you have specific suggestions, please feel free to share!
@EmekaUlor asked: What is the way forward for the Connect community and the Local Guides program in terms of experience and engagement?
Answer: We’re starting small and making sure we get things right along the way. We’re slowly bringing back in-person experiences and will continue to solicit feedback from the community as we continue to evolve and change.
@TerryPG and @TiffanyStockstill asked: What can you share with us on the future of the Local Google Guides program and Connect?
Answer: We have a really smart, passionate team talking about this. Nothing to share at the moment — but I’m excited about where the conversations are headed.
Questions about events and rewards
@ALG-87, @ChiaraMariaC, @EmekaUlor, @MohammadPalash, @SholaIB, and @TerryPG asked: Is it possible to have one big Connect Live or smaller regional events like before, either physical or virtual?
Answer: I think this is the question everyone is asking. We all miss the days of Connect Live. We’re slowly moving back toward in-person events. I don’t think we’ll try to recreate Connect Live, but we definitely hear the feedback around events and experiences.
@NunungAfuah asked: Does Google plan to make a regional meet-up in APAC? Going to the U.S. is difficult for some countries.
Answer: As we look at a small-scale return to in-person events, we want to make sure that we host events in multiple markets so that we can include a diverse audience of contributors. We’ll consider a lot of factors when hosting events, including travel requirements.
@ChiaraMariaC asked: Will there be Guiding Stars this year?
Answer: While we won’t be hosting Guiding Stars this year; we’re exploring other ways to celebrate the impact of this awesome community!
@SholaIB asked: Is it possible to have a central unit in every country or a local collection point or local vendors for swags?
Answer: There are a number of logistical and legal implications to consider around production and shipping, and we’re not able to do this at this time.
@MohammadPalash, @NasimJ, and @SanjayBDLG asked: We always see Local Guides from different countries get gifts from Google, but we don’t get any gifts in Bangladesh. What can we get in the future?
Answer: I’d highly recommend checking out @ShafiulB ’s meet-up on August 25 and keep an eye-out for additional meet-up opportunities. While it’s not about gifts, I think meet-ups are a great way to connect with other Local Guides in your area and hear what they’re excited about.
@MortenCopenhagen asked: What plans does Google have to restore the excitement and engagement of a significant number of Local Guides? Volunteers who feel appreciated and excited will do anything and everything to make Google Maps better and Connect more fun.
An****swer: An important question, the answer to which I believe should be constantly evolving. As I’ve mentioned, we’re starting a slow return to in-person events and we’ve been soliciting feedback about the state of Connect. We’ll continue to get a sense of what resonates with the community and where we can improve.
Questions and suggestions about content
@Lukas_ and @TiffanyStockstill asked: I would like to see more challenges on Connect because they bring people together. Are there plans for that?
Answer: This is great feedback. We’re definitely keen to share more challenges on Connect. I like the idea of a year-long challenge too, what do you think?
@AdamGT asked: From my experience and contact with hundreds of Local Guides, many don’t see any value in joining Connect and many that do join or are already members simply lurk in the background. Connect needs much more punch! What plans are in place to provide better quality content?
Answer: We’re compiling all of the feedback we’ve received and trying to be really thoughtful about what’s next. I think there’s lots we can do to bring in more (and new) voices and take a look at what content is resonating most with the community. I’m keen to try lots of new things (knowing that not everything will be a winner). The other important piece is what I mentioned earlier — having an ongoing dialogue about what’s working and where we can improve.
@ChiaraMariaC and @JustJake said: I’d love to see official announcements here on Connect when Google Maps or features in the Local Guides program are experiencing issues as well as exciting updates from Google so the community stays informed.
Answer: I think this is super important and we can certainly do a better job here. I’ve added this to the list of things we need to consider moving forward.
Personal questions
@KamalHossenR asked: Could you share a memorable food discovery from all the countries you’ve visited that left a lasting impression on you?
Answer: Ooh! I’m excited to answer this one!
- I had the incredible opportunity to visit El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain. The food was out of this world and the presentation and experience were very fun. The meal opened with five amuse-bouche from five different countries. If you could match the dish to the country, it unlocked a globe with another bite inside. Jordi Roca also designed a dessert trolley that walks — what a way to end a meal!
- I’ll never forget the first flat-white I ever had in Bondi Beach, Australia. Every time I order one I think of my trip.
- I had a great lunch at Mercado Municipal de São Paulo — the coldest beer I have ever had in my life!
- We visited Siena in Tuscany, Italy, the night before the Palio and were able to join one of the contrada dinners. More than the food, the energy and the comradery were unforgettable.
- Aramburu in Buenos Aires was also amazing. We went there before phone cameras were good, and my pictures of our meal are dark and blurry but I still remember how delicious everything was!
- Who doesn’t love food with a view? We had dinner at Menega Cafe in Bali — amazing, fresh seafood while watching a beautiful sunset.
- Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea, Hawaii, is where I first tried Loco Moco (a bed of white rice topped with two hamburger patties, grilled onions, an egg, and brown gravy).
- I firmly believe that all food tastes better when you’re traveling. I had a layover in Athens and had the most amazing mezze platter at Ergon (I could eat Tirokafteri every day). Our server was shocked when we kept ordering more food.
- I think 668 The Gig Shack has the best fish tacos in the world. (And my Maps review says exactly that!)
- I’m so sad that Cafe Buchon in Budapest has had to close their doors. Their goulash on a cold day is all I ever want. (Also — we discovered Hungarian red wine is some of our favorite but very little is imported into the U.S. If you like red wine, may I recommend St.Andrea Áldás Reserve.)
- I meant to keep this to ten, but then I thought about the cacio e pepe at Roma Sparita and had to include it.
@LaloPadilla asked: Have you visited other Google offices abroad? If so, which one has the best food?
Answer: I’ve visited a handful of Google offices abroad, and they all have really good food. I think São Paulo had the best snacks (steak-flavored potato chips!) and I really loved the coffee in our Tokyo office**.**
@IamJoseFelixAranda asked: Can you please share what you have for breakfast at home and what’s your favorite breakfast from around the world?
Answer: Breakfast is easily my favorite meal. American breakfasts range from sweet to savory, and I like a little of everything. Eggs, veggies, and a pastry of sorts are my usual. There’s this bakery near my apartment that makes the most amazing kouign-amann. My son is a bit of a picky eater but he’ll always eat one of those! I also really like a German breakfast: meats, cheeses, and breads!
@PaulPavlinovich asked: What is the most underrated but need-to-visit place in NYC for locals and travelers alike to experience?
Answer: Love this question! I really like the programming at the 92Y. Governors Island is great for a nice summer day and The Met Cloisters feels like you’re on vacation in the city. I also really like the Staten Island Ferry; it’s free, and you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
Want to see other posts in our Ask a Googler series? Read previous posts below:
Food! 
