What are the benefits of doing Google reviews, I had started doing them a couple months ago, thinking there were benefits but are there?
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The answer to your question, @Turner_Taff , also depends on how you define benefits. Here is my personal take on it.
If you are asking if you will get compensation for the time you put into writing your reviews then the answer is no. You get points, but they have no value other than indicating how much you have contributed to Google Maps (quantity measure). So, it makes sense that we get more points for more detailed reviews.
Being a Local Guide is seen as community work that you do on a voluntary basis. There are lots of reasons why people contribute to Google Maps as a Local Guide. Some have special interests like helping other families with young children to find child-friendly places. Or there are lots of Local Guides that make the world a more accessible place for people with certain disabilities by adding specific information to Google Maps if a place is for example, wheel-chair friendly. Personally, I use Google Maps all the time to make informed decisions. Thanks to Google Maps, I frequently have 4 to 5-star experiences. To do so, I rely on the ratings and reviews by other people and I find it fair that I should add my share of information in return.
One of the most frequently mentioned benefits of contributing to Google Maps is that you are helping people and that gives a good feeling and is beneficial for your health. It is meaningful. Not only do you help people navigate the world, you help the economy of your local community and the businesses you like in particular.
Some people may answer your question by listing the perks we may get. But this is not something we earn! Google (sometimes randomly) offers tokens of appreciation for the work we do. These tokens of appreciation and their value are most often in no way justifiable to put in the energy that it takes to be a good Local Guides. This is totally fine because we, Local Guides, are not in it for money or gifts. If you have other expectations, you are wasting your time in my opinion.
Happy mapping and warm regards from Tenerife,
JeroenM
5 Likes
I have marked the answer of @JeroenM as the solution @Turner_Taff because it gives a true and complete answer.
I hope you’re enjoying Local Guides and making your local community better through your reviews and other contributions providing better information to other local people.
Paul
3 Likes