Hy Local Guides, 
As we wrap up for 2025, I wanted to take a moment to spotlight one of the most consistent and impactful missions on Connect - the drive to Support Small Local Businesses on Google Maps 
, by our local business champion : @AjitThite.
What makes @AjitThite’s mission unique is that it wasn’t just one campaign but a year long series of initiatives to support small local businesses from every angle.
What started as a passion for mapping hidden gems has turned into a massive movement to support local businesses, preserving heritage and fostering communities. From the busy lanes of Kumbhar Wada to the aroma of traditional Amruttulya tea 
shops, it wasn’t just about adding places on Maps but about Dil se (from heart) connections which supports livelihood, celebrates culture and brings local guides together.
Inspiring and Sparkled Challenges/Initiatives 
@AjitThite kept the community engaged with diverse challenges throughout the year :
- Dil Se Local
: From the “Big March” drive to “Diwali” specials, Ajit organised month-long challenges where local guides focused on supporting local businesses at special sectors like traditional artisans or flower sellers. - Review Hidden Gems
: A call to action to hunt for the reviewing places. The goal was simple but powerful: find a business that has existed for years but has no digital footprint and write a review and support them on Google Maps. - Festival Specials in Your Local Shops
: An ongoing challenge encourages Local Guides to find shops selling seasonal items like Ganesha idols, Diwali lanterns or festive sweets which only appear for a few weeks. By mapping these, the community helped vendors maximize sales during their peak season. - Eco-Conscious Mapping - A Green Journey
: A defining part of Ajit’s mission is linking sustainability with economic support. In this initiative, he encourages local guides to map street markets, repair shops and small businesses that use biodegradable materials. By highlighting these “Green” local businesses, he drives customers to vendors who care for the planet.
Meet-ups that supports local businesses 
@AjitThite also took the challenge offline with real world meetups.
- Diwali Market Walk - Supporting Local Businesses
: Hosted at Pune, these walks were timed specifically to map temporary festive street decoration sellers and oil lamp sellers, ensuring seasonal vendors got maximum visibility. - Janpath Market Walk - Taking up the initiative, @AjitThite hosted a meet-up at Delhi’s famous Janpath Market, teaching local guides how to map street shops and edits valuable attributes.
- Support Local Artists Meetup
: A creative twist on the usual food crawl! @AjitThite, @TusharSuradkar, @NERKARAMIT and @ShubhamWaman conducted this unique meetup at The Pavilion Mall, Pune to specifically map and review local potters, painters and handicraft stalls. It taught the community that “Small Business” isn’t just about food - it’s also for supporting our local art and culture too.
Leading with Purpose
@AjitThite not only support local businesses but inspires the community to join in for the purpose :
- Creative Arts : Designing amazing Logos & Stickers that made every campaign feel special. [If you want to use these logos & sticker designs, please contact with @AjitThite]
- Mentorship
: Teaching us through Ghumakkad Gossip (series by @Kumaarsantosh) how to write reviews that actually help to support local business on Google Maps. - Inclusivity
: Constantly reminding us to support for Women - Owned 
and Accessible 
Local Businesses.
This initiative, Support Local Businesses has sparked a ripple effect! A huge shoutout to all the Local Guides around the globe who stepped out to support their local businesses on Google Maps this year.
Tell us how to you supported local businesses on Google Maps this year in the comments below 
!
Here’s to discovering more hidden gems and supporting the heartbeat of our cities in 2026! 
local-business
I like the banner photos as well.
