I love the fact that google maps is not a static monolithic platform that rests on its laurels as the best maps for anything a user could want or need.
I remember back in 2007 using a Blackberry Pearl with no GPS and being stuck in an unfamiliar part of town at night using the cell tower triangulation functionality of the app to narrow my position and a little way-finding to get back home.
I also remember in 2013 using Google Maps on My Nexus 4 while riding shotgun to accurately navigate the Italian countryside from one city to the next, negotiating toll roads, roundabouts as well as the occasional medieval narrow one way street. Had we been using paper maps or a regular SatNav device in that trip, I think I would have lost my mind in less than an hour.
For every major family trip we’ve made since 2010 at least, I made sure to map out the places we were visiting on My Maps. I also looked for places to eat near our accommodations as well as interesting local places. In a way I was relying on Local Guides before Local Guides was a thing.
Some time ago, I don’t remember exactly when I started giving back to the platform that had given so much to me. I used Map Maker to fix the newer parts of my city which were not mapped, add roads and such.
Then when Local Guides appeared on the scene, I remember jumping at the opportunity of verifying information, It became more or less a game. I also tried leaving helpful reviews whenever I could.
At this moment, my main contribution to Local Guides are photos, not of businesses or menus, but of the city itself. I have been using a drone for photography since 2017 and I have added a lot of aerial photos of buildings, streets, parks and such. What I would love to do is to contribute up to date high resolution photos to help Google and the community get newer and better aerial imagery as well as 3D maps in the places where there is none yet.
As a drone pilot, I love using Google Maps for tagging places where I find interesting thins so I can come back with my drone and take photos. I would also love if my photos could help get better images of my city as well as more accurate elevation models.
All in all, I wish I could give back more to the community and the platform that has helped me for more than 10 years.