I already using Google Maps since i used my first Android Phone at 2012 (Jelly bean was booming at that time). I usually use it to find the places that i don’t know the routes or the first place that i want to visit. Just search the place name, it shows the auto text places or recommended places, click it and i can go there without lost.
Actually, i really don’t know what is Local Guides until i realized that the place reviewer is not from Google itself, it is from the Google Community and many people can do it. So, i did my first review when i went to food court in Surabaya, G Walk.
After i reviewed this places, Google Maps asked me to post a photo of it and i posted my photo of it. After several days, i just got email from Google Map that my posting was seen by many people and i got points. I was really happy at that time, because i can help people to find out the places that they want to visit by seeing the review or photos.
Because i like photography, i am addicted to share my photos from many places and share it on Google Maps (Haha thank you Google Maps).
Besides, there are the edits section on Google Maps that i can use to edit places that has wrong information or not up-to-date. Also, it can be used to add new places. My first add places was Mobile Innovation Studio. Why i add its place? Because when i went to college, i was the administrator of that laboratory, but when people wanted to know about this place on Google Maps, they couldn’t find it (it was really sad). So, i decided to add its place. I filled the information about it, like the place name, address, visiting time, etc. After 2 days, my add place was approved by Google. I tested it by searching on Google Maps and it showed exactly the same as what I wrote.
I think Google Maps is the best platform to find places, help people to know the reviews and photos of it. I want to share as many places as possible, because there are still many places in Indonesia that are not yet on Google Maps.