Should you wish to stop being a Local Guide this can be done in different ways. Some ways will have negative consequences for your use of other Google services and some actions can not be undone. So there is a lot to consider when you want to leave. This post will help you find the way that is best for you.
How you want to leave depends on why you want to leave and whether you might change your mind in the future.
How to leave - the quick and dirty version There are 3 ways to leave: 1. Delete your Connect account 1. Exit the Local Guides Program 1. Delete your Google account I recommend you select method B since it has the least negative consequences and it can be undone. For instructions please see table B. Exit the Local Guides Program below. |
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BACKGROUND
To join Connect we all followed these 4 steps:
- We created a Google account.
- We started using Google Maps with our Google account.
- We signed up to become a Local Guide.
- We created a Connect account.
So your Maps contributions, your membership of the Local Guides Program, and your Connect account are all linked to your Google account. And most of us use the same Google account for other services like Gmail, Google Photos, Documents, YouTube, etc. Keep this in mind.
Before proceeding it is also relevant to be aware that there are two sets of badges. Your Local Guides Level and your Google Maps badges (examples: Master Reviewer, Photographer, Trailblazer, and Factfinder) are all linked to your Google Maps contributions. And your Connect badges (Great Friend, Writer, Solutionist, Popular, etc) are all linked to your Connect contributions.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
The following table explains how your local guide possibilities are linked to your accounts.
You can use this table to see what possibilities you will give up by deleting your Connect account and exiting the Local Guides Program.
For a more systematic approach, you can put a checkmark () in the Keep-column for those possibilities you want to keep. And then compare your
with the green
in the other columns to find the Account type that is best for you.
Working with this table will give you an indication of how best to leave. But we are not done yet!
UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES
In the three tables below I have listed what else you need to know, consider, or do before leaving either by A. Deleting your Connect account, B. Exiting the Local Guides Program, or C. Deleting your Google account. And you can find important info on reversibility, alternatives, and the links needed to leave.
A. Delete your Connect account
Consequences |
You can no longer: - Ask questions and add/edit content on Connect. - Earn Connect badges and vote for ideas. - Apply to participate in Connect Live events if level 5+. Also, your username will be changed to Anonymous with no link to your profile. And the content of your Connect posts will remain visible, but it will not be possible to attribute them to you. |
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Reversibility |
Deleting your Connect account can not be undone. After 10 days you will be able to create a new account on Connect using the same Google Account. But you will have lost your old username, Connect badges and you will be unable to edit your old posts and access your old Private Messages. |
Alternatives |
Stop visiting LocalGuidesConnect.com and turn off all email notifications here. This will allow you to change your mind later. Or consider B. Leaving the Local Guides Program instead which can also be reversed should you change your mind. |
Backup |
You can download all your contributions in Connect before deleting your account. Find the links needed at the bottom of this page. |
How to leave |
Go to My Connect settings and select āClose Accountā. |
B. Exit the Local Guides Program
Consequences |
Same as under A. Plus you can no longer: - Earn points, badges, and levels on Google Maps. Your username and avatar in Connect will remain unchanged. But your Google Maps profile will no longer show that you are a Local Guide. You can still use Google Maps as a normal Maps users. This includes making reviews, adding photos, etc on Google Maps. |
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Reversibility |
Local Guides who have exited the program can re-enter using the same Google Account and will find their LG level and Google Maps badges intact. If you did not delete your Connect account it will also be intact, and you will be able to contribute to Connect again if you rejoin the Local Guides program. |
Alternatives |
If privacy is your concern, a better solution could be to turn off your location tracking under Activity controls. |
How to leave |
Go to the new Opt-out-page and click/tap āLeave the programā. |
C. Delete your Google account
Consequences |
Same as under B. Plus you can no longer: - Add reviews and photos to Google Maps. - Suggest edits and provide feedback on Google Maps. Your avatar in Connect will become grey and your Connect username will remain visible plus updated to your last Level in Google Maps, and linked to your posts. BUT more importantly: You can lose all your Google files, photos, and emails, etc. Please read this official help page to understand all the consequences. All your reviews, star-only ratings, and photos will remain on Google Maps without mentioning your name. Should you want to delete them, this needs to be done before deleting your account. For every review, rating, and photo you need to hit the 3-dot-icon and select Delete. Unfortunately, there is no easier way to delete all these contributions. You can not delete your edits, the new places you have added, and your answers on Google Maps. But you can remove answers linked to your timeline by setting auto-delete to ON in your Activity controls. |
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Reversibility |
If you deleted a Google account recently you might be able to recover it as explained here. |
Alternatives |
Consider Exiting the Local Guides Program because it is reversible and you will not risk losing your Google files, photos, and emails or your access to other Google services. |
Backup |
Download the data you might need later as explained here. |
How to leave |
Go to your Google Account settings and scroll down to the heading Download, delete, or make a plan for your data. |
With this information, you should be able to make an informed choice on how to leave us.
Remember, my intention was never to encourage you to leave but only to help you find the best way to do so.
I would like to thank @ErmesT for his generous help in checking and improving this post.
Cheers
MortenCopenhagen
PS: Before you leave us it would be helpful and appreciated if you would share your reasons for leaving.
PPS: There are a lot of details in this post, so please write comments to let me know if you find errors or room for improvements. I will be happy to revise this post.
PPPS: This post was updated on Jan 13th, 2021, to include the link to the new opt-out-page.