After serving as a local guide for many years and contributing significantly to the platform, I have decided to step back. Despite submitting genuine reviews for both new and established businesses, I’ve noticed that many are not being approved. Although Google posted a clarification a couple of months ago, my experience remains unchanged. I completed the form they provided for investigation purposes, but my reviews and many excellent photos still go unapproved. New places I’ve submitted aren’t being approved either, without any clear explanation.
Going out of my way to take photos and add reviews to Google Maps had become an integral part of my daily routine. Unfortunately, the company does not seem to prioritize improvements or value the time and effort of contributors like myself. As a result, I have gradually reduced my contributions over the last two months and have stopped entirely in recent weeks.
My motivation was never about receiving free socks or pins from Google. Rather, I was dedicated to helping local and new businesses stand out and become easily discoverable.
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Hello @ravindra48
Sorry for your troubles !!! Nevertheless one thing is that contributions have to be done according to the rules and regulations of the program. I believe Google doesn’t have a personal hatred or problem with you or anyone in particular but it wants contributions that are helpful to the general public. Please don’t take it personal or feel bad.
Most of these contributions are also been supervised by AI which have been trained or programmed over the years for this purpose. Regarding edits please kindly,have you read articles about it here on connect? If not Please read Why is my edit status “Pending” or “Not Applied”?
You can also look up How-to-make-sense-of-Google-s-responses-to-your-edits all these will help you to understand the program better and enjoy it. You never know you could even be featured for being a good local guide sometime.
I see your profile is set to restricted or locked which is OK for privacy reasons. Nevertheless if I could have a look into your profile,I might be able to advise you on contributions on the maps.
Cheer up man
Happy guiding
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@ravindra48 @SholaIB
So sad to hear you say you’re stopping completely.
I too have lots of new places added, and other edits, that have not been applied even though these are places that I know personally and have taken pictures of.
Neither, have I ever received any perks whatsoever but the goal here is to improve the information available as it helps not only others but us as well.
Here in Nigeria, we are even hampered with costs of buying data to upload photos and videos. However, the true joy of posting on Google Maps comes from knowing you fulfil a need for millions of people all over the world.
So I implore you, please do not stop. Even if for only a few times, keep on updating the maps, you are touching lives and saving time for someone, somewhere, out there.
Best wishes!
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