Hi everyone!
My name is Haabster Hannes and I’m joining from Luxembourg. I’ve been a Local Guide for a while now, currently at Level 7, and I’m passionate about sharing the “practicalities and beauty of daily life” through my contributions.
I’m sharing a photo I took of Castillo de San Gabriel in Lanzarote. I love capturing historical architecture and sharing the beauty of the places I visit with the community.
I’m looking forward to connecting with all of you, learning from your experiences, and contributing more effectively to Google Maps.
See you around!
5 Likes
Hello @HaabsterHanes and warm Welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — April 2026 to you , where you can meet local guides from around the world.
Moreover, Here you can follow the five prompts below and share your introduction In this thread including your photo (in landscape mode).
1.Name:
2.Location:
3.What I love about being a Local Guide:
4.My favorite thing to explore:
5.Fun Fact about me:
A landscape photo of you with a brief description.
I also wanted to recommend to you, check Read first! Connect community guidelines for more information on Connect redesign FAQ: Your questions answered!,
& You can also Visit Community guidelines page for in-depth resources on the Connect features.
and many more 
Hi everyone,
I’m MURTADAH, a Local Guide from Saudi Arabia, and I’m thrilled to finally join this amazing community!
My journey with Google Maps truly began in 2016 after my first visit to Istanbul. Since then, it has become a tradition for me to visit Istanbul at least twice a year. Over these 18+ visits, I’ve developed a deep connection with the city, documenting everything from its hidden restaurants to its bustling streets.
I don’t just take photos; I aim to be the “eyes” for other travelers. Whether I’m in Saudi Arabia or Turkey, I focus on providing high-quality, honest reviews and real-time updates on road closures and traffic incidents to help people reach their destinations safely and quickly.
A few highlights of my contributions so far:
• My photos have reached over 250,000 views (especially my food and venue shots in Istanbul!).
• I love adding detailed information that others might miss, like seating capacity, floor layouts, and the best times to visit.
• My goal is to reach Level 8 very soon and continue helping millions of users navigate the world more easily.
I believe that a great Local Guide isn’t just about points; it’s about the impact we leave on someone’s journey. I’m looking forward to learning from all of you and sharing more from my travels!
Happy exploring!
8 Likes
Welcome to Local Guides Connect, @MURTADAH. Your contributions are very well apreciated. Thanks for sharing a little bit about your journey. Keep contributing and I hope you enjoy our community
1 Like
Thank you so much for the warm welcome, @AlexandreCampbell! I’m really happy to be part of this inspiring community. My goal has always been to provide useful data for travelers, especially in Saudi Arabia and Istanbul. Looking forward to contributing more and learning from experienced guides like you!
Hello @MURTADAH and warm Welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — April 2026 to you , where you can meet local guides from around the world.
Moreover, Here you can follow the five prompts below and share your introduction In this thread including your photo (in landscape mode).
1.Name:
2.Location:
3.What I love about being a Local Guide:
4.My favorite thing to explore:
5.Fun Fact about me:
A landscape photo of you with a brief description.
I also wanted to recommend to you, check Read first! Connect community guidelines for more information on Connect redesign FAQ: Your questions answered!,
& You can also Visit Community guidelines page for in-depth resources on the Connect features.
and many more
Hi everyone!
My name is Alawi, and I am excited to join the Local Guides Connect community from Sana’a, Yemen.
By profession, I work in security management and training, which often takes me across different regions and facilities. This gives me a unique opportunity to document and review places that are essential for both locals and professionals—from technical centers to logistics hubs.
My favorite place I’ve reviewed so far:
I really enjoy reviewing local landmarks and newly developed commercial spaces. One of my favorite areas to document is the evolving infrastructure in Sana’a, as it shows the resilience and growth of our local community. I believe that providing accurate information and photos of these locations helps people navigate our city more safely and efficiently.
Why I am a Local Guide:
I love being a Local Guide because I believe in the power of shared information. Whether it’s a small local shop or a major facility, every detail helps someone make a better decision.
I’m looking forward to learning from all of you and sharing more from my corner of the world!
Happy exploring,
Alawi
4 Likes
Hi @Alawi811,
Welcome to Connect!
Just to let you know, I merged your post with this month’s Introduce Yourself series where you can get to know fellow Local Guides.
Thank you @KashifMisidia for merging my post into the monthly feature and for the warm welcome! Here is my introduction:
1. Name: Murtadah
2. Location: Al Dammam, Saudi Arabia
3. What I love about being a Local Guide: I love the ability to help travelers discover hidden gems and providing accurate, up-to-date information that makes their journeys smoother and more enjoyable.
4. My favorite thing to explore: I’m passionate about exploring historical landmarks, local cultures, and vibrant cities.
5. Fun Fact about me: I am a dedicated fan of Al-Ahli FC, and I have a tradition of visiting Istanbul every single year since 2016
2 Likes
"Hi everyone,
My name is Zain and I am a Level 7 Local Guide from Pakistan. I have been contributing to Google Maps for a while and I am excited to join this community and connect with fellow Pakistani guides and people from all over the world. Looking forward to learning from you all!"
1 Like
Hi @zainulabideen,
Welcome to Connect! Just to let you know, I merged your topic to Introduce Yourself — April 2026 where you can meet fellow Local Guides.
Celebrating our newest contributors who joined in the last 24 hours and kicked things off with their first badge!
Hi @Rociooo.7, @Emanuel.Stefania, @Ratte, @Alawi811, @The_tour_life, @rupak, @md7547486 — Congratulations once again on earning your Badge!
Welcome to Local Guides Connect — a vibrant platform where you can learn, share your experiences, and grow together as a community.
I’m excited to see your upcoming contributions and connect with each one of you!
Start Your Journey on Connect
- Start Your Journey on Connect: Read, Share Your Story & Join Meetups
A simple guide to help you write your first post, share your story, and participate in meetups - Introduce Yourself — April 2026
If you want to be featured in the monthly Introduce Yourself post, share your introduction in the comments with a horizontal photo (landscape mode), following the five prompts mentioned in this post
Explore & Get Involved
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences
A must-read if you’re interested in attending Local Guides events - Forthcoming Meet-ups
Join in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetups to connect, learn, and grow with the community
Have you created your first topic on Connect yet?
- Yes, I have already created a topic
- Not yet, but I will soon
- I prefer reading topics for now
- I didn’t know about creating topics before this
0
voters
Mapping Local, Creating Global 🌍
Hey everyone I’m Sondra and I’m new on here so I was just making a friendly post to tell everyone hello
!!!2026-04-13T05:00:00Z
5 Likes
Hello @Weda21069 and warm Welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — April 2026 to you , where you can meet local guides from around the world.
Moreover, Here you can follow the five prompts below and share your introduction In this thread including your photo (in landscape mode).
1.Name:
2.Location:
3.What I love about being a Local Guide:
4.My favorite thing to explore:
5.Fun Fact about me:
A landscape photo of you with a brief description.
I also wanted to recommend to you, check Read first! Connect community guidelines for more information on Connect redesign FAQ: Your questions answered!,
& You can also Visit Community guidelines page for in-depth resources on the Connect features.
and many more
Hi! Thank you for the warm welcome
I’m a Local Guide from Japan focusing on practical reviews that help people decide before visiting.
I’m excited to learn from everyone here and also share insights from my experiences across Japan 
1 Like
I truly appreciate the wonderful reception!
1 Like
2 Likes
Thank you @kamraj_nadar 
Please case your vote in the poll here.
1 Like
Hello @Ratte
saya lihat profile mu sangat menakjubkan.
teruslah berkontribusi di Google Maps.
Salam Kenal dari saya. 
1 Like
Celebrating our newest contributors who joined in the last 24 hours and kicked things off with their first badge!
Hi @Angel6910, @tandooritrails, @Fid, @Weda21069, @ashutoshjha, @darrencummins, @And398, @Mdmonir, @Reviewer04 — Congratulations once again on earning your Badge!
Welcome to Local Guides Connect — a vibrant platform where you can learn, share your experiences, and grow together as a community.
I’m excited to see your upcoming contributions and connect with each one of you!
Start Your Journey on Connect
- Start Your Journey on Connect: Read, Share Your Story & Join Meetups
A simple guide to help you write your first post, share your story, and participate in meetups - Introduce Yourself — April 2026
If you want to be featured in the monthly Introduce Yourself post, share your introduction in the comments with a horizontal photo (landscape mode), following the five prompts mentioned in this post
Explore & Get Involved
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences
A must-read if you’re interested in attending Local Guides events - Forthcoming Meet-ups
Join in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetups to connect, learn, and grow with the community
Have you created your first topic on Connect yet?
- Yes, I have already created a topic
- Not yet, but I will soon
- I prefer reading topics for now
- I didn’t know about creating topics before this
0
voters
Mapping Local, Creating Global 🌍