Nothing has so altered my ability to move through space with as much insight or confidence as Google Maps. This app has completely changed not only the way I travel but also how I go about my daily business. I mean, how many of you simply type “food” in Google Maps to find available food options in your area, and how many use the Top Rated filter to choose from the best?
For the past 10 years, I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of the tightly-knit community that is Taipei, Taiwan. Small businesses are thriving here, and the majority of my millennial friends are small business owners in the city. So, for my friends and other local places I visit daily, I always make sure to leave honest reviews. I take my time with it because I know that every detail matters. And in the end, most of the photos I’ve shared get thousands of views, so I know the places I love are getting the exposure they deserve. This not only helps me to have my favorite place around and keep my friends in business but also allows other people to discover something new and unexpected.
Checking ratings and reviews have become deeply engraved into the process of making decisions about anything we do. A cohesive review describing someone’s experience, completed with photos and videos can make or break it for another person. It is by the power of the community that great places thrive and get recognized for the effort they put into their business. Local Guides has become an incredible multi-faceted platform where people get to share their impressions about places they visited, promote places they love and give advice to the owners, when necessary. It is by the power of the community that we get to reshape an industry, raise quality, gain insight and make changes.
So, if you’re looking to make a difference - participate.