I usually create and publish my Connect posts from a computer because typing is easier, editing is more comfortable, and the desktop version provides more complete tools.
However, most of my photos are stored in Google Photos or Google Drive, not directly on my computer. At the moment, when I want to add a photo to a Connect post, I need to download it to my computer first and then upload it again to Connect. This adds extra steps and takes more time.
I would like to suggest adding more photo upload options when creating a new topic:
Upload from device
Select from Google Photos
Select from Google Drive
The current Upload from device option should remain, but Google Photos and Google Drive could be added as extra choices.
This feature would be very useful for Local Guides who prefer writing posts on a computer but keep most of their photos in the cloud. It would make posting faster, easier, and more convenient without needing to download and upload the same photo again.
It could also help members who:
Use different devices to take photos and write posts
Have limited storage space on their computer
Organize meetup and travel photos in Google Drive
Automatically back up their phone photos to Google Photos
Regularly create photo-based stories on Connect
Since Local Guides often share travel photos, food photos, meetup recaps, and Google Maps contribution stories, I believe this small improvement could make the posting experience much better.
Would you also find it useful to have Device, Google Photos, and Google Drive as photo upload options on Local Guides Connect?
until some weeks (months …?) ago, we could indeed post photos and videos directly from Google Photos. We don’t know, if this is a bug or “a feature” (i.e. changed intentionally by Google), but it has been reported here on Connect several times already that it is not possible anymore.
Even worse is the fact posting videos is only possible from Google Photos. So using a desktop browser you cannot upload videos anymore.
Hi @SophatCHY, this is a fantastic feature suggestion and one that would make the workflow so much smoother for many of us.
I completely agree with you. When you are structuring a detailed post on a desktop, having to download images from the cloud to your local drive just to upload them back to a web browser feels like a very redundant and unnecessary step. Direct integration with Google Photos and Drive would save so much time and local storage space.
@WilfriedB, that is a great point regarding the video uploads as well. It is really frustrating when a useful feature just silently disappears without any clarity on whether it is a bug or an intentional update. I really hope the Connect team sees this thread and considers bringing back the direct cloud upload functionality!
I know my comment is probably not useful to this discussion, but I deliberately DO NOT store photos in Google Photos nor Google Drive. In my country, it is not possible to purchase anything from Google, so I have to ensure I don’t exceed my 15 GB free space.
Although I backup to the cloud (non-Google), all my photos are still stored on my phone. My workaround in the scenario you described is to type the post on desktop and save it, then open the same post on my phone and insert the photos at the relevant spots.
@tony_b Yes, I understand how the current upload works. That’s why I suggested adding more options in the Google ecosystem, like importing photos from the device, Google Photos, or Google Drive. It would give users an easier way to upload, especially since there’s no dedicated app for this on phones right now.
@WilfriedB Thank you for your explanation. I understand the current flow, and my suggestion is just to add Google Photos and Google Drive as extra options so users have more choice.
@Ayaanali Thank you for your support. Because we share many photos, I feel having Google Photos and Google Drive options, not only device upload, would make things easier for Local Guides.
This will be very useful and convenient, since currently I have to download an image from Photos or Drive on my computer - then upload again to Connect.
