First my background, I made my first review 5-6 years ago. Google popped up and asked me to review a restaurant I was at. I did not post my next review until almost 2 years later.
I have no relatives or friends that are Local Google Guides. I finally found a co-worker that is a local guide. What is it like for you? Do you know a lot of Guides?
For those of you that are lucky to attend guide meet-ups that’s great. Canada is still a very young country and Google Guides is still somewhat new here. Some people tell me yes they will now look at google reviews before starting. That’s a start.
I read an article today that said the 3 most populous countries for Local Guides are India, USA. and Brazil.
So please share a few thoughts.
Do you know a lot of Local guides?
What’s it like in your part of the world?
Have you introduced people to the Local Guide program?
Does it seem like everyone in your area is a local Guide?
That is actually an interesting question, @TerryPG ! Many times I have had friends and friends of friends mention they’ve seen my reviews, but I won’t ever forget the time I met a family member who ended up being a Local Guide! My fiance’s cousin’s cousin was visiting town from Canada and we went to a taco shop at Hollywood Beach, FL. We were both taking a lot of photos, trying to get the perfect capture. Then it was mentioned that I was a Local Guide and his jaw dropped and he yelped in excitement at the fact that he was a Local Guide as well!
We ended up spending a lot of that lunch talking about the program with everyone having lunch with us. It was a natural occurrence that made me feel that there definitely may be many more Guides that I know personally (that I haven’t met through the program, necessarily). It really goes to show that the program is open and made for everyone.
That’s a great story @SP31 I can imagine the excitement of finding another Local Guide that you could relate to. My daughter just booked a hair cutting appointment on line and was surprised to see my review at the top. Your right there are probably so many more guides out there.
@TerryPG that’s so cool! Did she know you were a Guide before spotting it, haha?
But that’s the thing, in some parts of the world the communities are more familiar with each other than other parts. Meet-ups were a great opportunity to meet others in person, but thankfully for the time being during COVID-19, virtual meet-ups provide an exceptional opportunity with maybe not as much of the meet-up butterflies haha .
There are plenty of local guides in each small and big town across India.
We have local groups who conduct meetups locally and also pan-India.
What is your source of reading that “most local guides are in India, the US, and Brazil”?
IMO, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and West Africa (if considered together) definitely have more local guides than Brazil.
No. I did not start as a local guide because a local guide introduced me to the program.
Google introduced me to it because I posted a review first.
I haven’t yet introduced anyone to the local guide program because just like any human being I fear rejection or ridicule.
But if I know someone who is passionate about writing blog articles on food, travel, photography, or such a topic then I definitely inform him or her to join the program.
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