In the insightful Where Do Your Points Come From post by @tony_b, he shared a detailed Maps Contribution Points Distribution chart from the Leaderboard System. He invited us to reflect on our own maps contribution metrics relative to his, sparking participation from myself, @Annaelisa @PrasadVR @WilfriedB @efcxp, @TerryPG and others.
Reading through the comments, I realized that comparing ourselves to Guides at vastly different Local Guide levels might skew one’s personal analysis. Local Guides at higher levels often have different contribution patterns and volumes than those at lower levels. To explore this in greater depth, I analyzed averages for two cases:
(a) The aggregated average metrics across all Local Guides on the Leaderboards, and
(b) The aggregated average metrics segmented by each Local Guide level.
This segmentation is insightful because different levels may emphasize distinct contribution types. For instance, level 10 Guides might focus heavily on photos, whereas level 8 Guides might emphasize answering questions or map edits. Here is some of that average analysis:
| Metric | All LG's Avg Points | Level 10 Avg Points | Level 8 Avg Points |
| Photos | 38,270 | 117,223 | 13,209 |
| Edits | 8,788 | 33,713 | 1,042 |
| Answers | 6,226 | 15,823 | 3,218 |
Caption: Local Guide (all Local Guide levels) average Maps contribution points distribution by metrics
(a focus on Photos by a big margin followed by Edits and Answers)
Caption: Level 10 Local Guide average Maps contribution points distribution by metrics
(a focus on Photos by a big margin followed by Edits and Roads)
Caption: Level 8 Local Guide average Maps contribution points distribution by metrics
(a focus on Photos by a big margin followed by Answers and Reviews)
We observe significant differences between levels, with Level 10 focusing more on photos and edits, while Level 8 Guides may have their highest points from photos and answers. This underscores how Local Guide levels influence contribution style and volume. It’s noted that the impact of videos on points has yet to kick in!
Why Averages Can Be Misleading and Median Matters
While averages (i.e. means) provide a useful summary, they are sensitive to outliers. Exceptional contributors like @Bartek_Maryniak, @MarcoDavoli, @Lukas_B, @Herve_Andrieu, members of the Million Points Club, can disproportionately inflate the mean values. Conversely, low outliers can pull the mean down, masking typical behavior. To avoid the affect of outliers we could perform this analysis using the median instead of average points but unfortunately time didn’t allow this.
Also, because of time constraints I haven’t shown my analysis for all Local Guide levels however if there is sufficient interest, I could add this capability to the existing core vitals section of the Leaderboard System which would allow you to compare your own core points contribution vitals to the overall as well as your own respective Local Guide level.
Remember, the Top 100 Local Guides Leaderboards are not only about rankings but also offer powerful insights to understand contribution patterns and inspire more effective community involvement.
