Hello and welcome to the Forum! First of all, I should mention that you can introduce yourself in our self-introduction section and meet valuable guides in the region. I also recommend that you meet @Sophia_Cambodia one of our guides and moderators from Cambodia.
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Thank you for tagging me @Gezendunyali we are growing in numbers of active local guides both on Connect and Google maps. @SophatCHY has a long list of Cambodian local guides. @sila.dev welcome to Connect. Let’s connect with other Cambodian local guides when you are here.
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Hello @sila.dev and Welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I want to inform you that I’m merging your post to our monthly feature Introduce Yourself — January 2026 , 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 
Hello @Vancity_EC!
A warm welcome to Local Guides Connect!
Great to see that you introduced yourself just after joining Local Guides Connect. Such a wonderful enthusiasm! We’re happy to have you here.
To Connect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences If you want to attend a Local Guides event, this post is worth reading.
- Introduce Yourself - January 2026 If you’d like to be featured in the monthly Introduce Yourself post, please share your introduction in the comments along with a horizontal (landscape) photo, following the five prompts mentioned there.
- Forthcoming meet-ups: Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to connect with community.
Mapping Local, Creating Global
"Hi @ErmesT,
Thank you for guiding me and moving my post to the correct section. I apologize for the mistake.
I was not aware that the Trusted Photographer badge program had been discontinued, so I appreciate you clarifying that for me.
Regarding the photos, I understand your point about original content. I apologize for using images from the internet. I am deleting them immediately and will ensure that I only upload my own original 360° photos and content from now on.
Thanks again for the warning and advice. I want to contribute positively to the community."
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1. Nombre: Nicolás Maizares
2. Ubicación: Salta, Argentina 
3. Qué me llevó a ser un Local Guide: Viviendo en la hermosa provincia de Salta, cerca de los Valles Calchaquíes, me di cuenta de que muchos lugares increíbles (desde paisajes escondidos hasta panaderías familiares) no eran fáciles de encontrar en internet. Me hice Local Guide para llenar ese vacío. Me apasiona compartir actualizaciones en tiempo real sobre el estado de los caminos —algo vital para la seguridad en nuestras rutas de montaña— y ayudar a los turistas a descubrir la cultura auténtica del norte argentino a través de reseñas detalladas y fotos.
4. Mi actividad favorita para explorar: Definitivamente, los paisajes naturales y las rutas escénicas. Ya sea la “Cuesta del Obispo” o un mirador escondido como el del “Río Puyil”, disfruto documentando la experiencia de cómo llegar. También me encanta encontrar pequeños negocios locales (como ferreterías o especieras) que ofrecen una atención personalizada genial pero que les falta visibilidad digital. Ayudarlos a que los encuentren es mi forma de apoyar a mi comunidad.
5. Dato curioso sobre mí: ¡Soy fanático de los atardeceres! Mi plan perfecto es subir al “Cerro San Bernardo” solo para tomar unos mates mientras veo caer el sol sobre la ciudad. Además, hace poco me propuse el desafío de llegar al Nivel 5 en tiempo récord para demostrar mi compromiso con esta comunidad… ¡y lo logré! 
5 Likes
Hello @Nikov7!
A warm welcome to Local Guides Connect!
Great to see that you introduced yourself within 2 hours of joining Local Guides Connect. Such a wonderful enthusiasm! We’re happy to have you here.
To Connect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences If you want to attend a Local Guides event, this post is worth reading.
- Forthcoming meet-ups: Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to connect with community.
Mapping Local, Creating Global
Hi @breerdgza, @Gowifinix, @Azeezm, @jensenthomasss, @Sudhakar4948, @MariaReyna, @Sophearoth, @Kimnixon, @UnBora1, @Manjurul12, @mahabubgr, @VICKY3, @Neel1, @Pilo, @Shojiro-Jay-Noguchi, @JonMeuser, @mkjo, @FrankChung, @heretinih, @Pankaj33017, @Gaurav_Puvar_5, @Andrea.pr, @muzi87, @Abuali2025, @amin.1, @sila.dev, @Jamlo, @PriyaSureliya, @JoanaChukova, @Vancity_EC, @LYONS, @Damahni, @vishal_bbt, @Irenchou, @KazB56, @ANKURTIWARI, @Jairam, @Abuali2025, @Sebazzz, @AdamWhite, @Bboy_Michael, @pppeung, @_Moe, @DJIMAHMOUD, @Samsoon777, @Ocho213k, @Nikov7, @Mikko - a very warm welcome to Local Guides Connect! 
Congratulations to all of you on earning a badge!
A special shout-out to @Manjurul12, @Abuali2025, @sila.dev, and @JoanaChukova for achieving three badges:
New Friend
Newly Popular
New Writer
To connect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
-
2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences (If you want to attend a Local Guides event, it’s worth reading)
-
Introduce Yourself — January 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)
-
Forthcoming meet-ups: Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to connect with community.
Question for you:
How have you contributed to sustainability on Google Maps?
Select all that apply. If any option isn’t clear, please read “6 Ways I Support Sustainability on Google Maps.”
- Writing reviews that highlight sustainable practices
- Updating sustainability attributes
- Mapping green initiatives
- Answering quick questions
- Adding photos and videos related to sustainability
- Creating and sharing lists
0
voters
Mapping Local, Creating Global
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Welcome Back & Congratulations!
Hello @Vikas_1976, @np1970, @KashiRam, @Koo, @Bravebala, @Sebazzz, @KarthikaVasantha, @RodrigoOCordeiro, @Omar31! A big shoutout to each of you for earning the ‘New Friend’ badge on Local Guides Connect! 
Even if you’ve been part of Connect before, seeing you engage again—starting with your first like—is always a joy. Every small interaction helps make our community stronger! 
Whether you’re returning after a break or exploring Connect more deeply now, we’re thrilled to have you back. Connect isn’t just a platform—it’s a community, and every interaction counts.
To reconnect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
-
2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences (If you want to attend a Local Guides event, it’s worth reading)
-
Introduce Yourself — January 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)
-
Forthcoming meet-ups: Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to connect with community.
Question for you:
How have you contributed to sustainability on Google Maps?
Select all that apply. If any option isn’t clear, please read “6 Ways I Support Sustainability on Google Maps.”
- Writing reviews that highlight sustainable practices
- Updating sustainability attributes
- Mapping green initiatives
- Answering quick questions
- Adding photos and videos related to sustainability
- Creating and sharing lists
0
voters
Mapping Local, Creating Global
Thank you so much Sharma Ji for the warm welcome.
1 Like
Hi everyone 
My name is Gabriel. I’m a local search and Google Business Profile specialist focused on helping local businesses get found by nearby customers.
I work mainly with service-based and brick-and-mortar businesses, helping them improve visibility on Google Maps and local search. I recently joined Local Guides Connect to learn, share insights, and better understand Google’s local ecosystem from both the user and business perspective.
Looking forward to connecting and contributing here.
1 Like
Hello @Gabriel.kosi!
A warm welcome to Local Guides Connect!
Great to see that you introduced yourself within 6 minutes of joining Connect. Such a wonderful enthusiasm! We’re happy to have you here.
To Connect and explore what’s happening on Connect, you may find these posts useful:
- 2026: Local Guides Events & Experiences If you want to attend a Local Guides event, this post is worth reading.
- Introduce Yourself - January 2026 If you’d like to be featured in the monthly Introduce Yourself post, please share your introduction in the comments along with a horizontal (landscape) photo, following the five prompts mentioned there.
- Forthcoming meet-ups: Join in-person meet-ups near you, as well as virtual and hybrid meet-ups, to connect with community.
Mapping Local, Creating Global
Hey there!
My name is Anastasiia and I’m a foodie from Austria - Vienna with Level 7 
! Usually I post and recommend only the locations are above 4 
Are there any other foodies from Vienna? Do not hesitate to contact & follow me on Instagram @anastasiia_2i
8 Likes
Hi @anastasiia_2i thank you for contributing to the Google Maps as a Local Guide, I send you greetings from Uganda.
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Hi, @anastasiia_2i , a warm welcome to Connect, the official Community of the Local Guides of Google Maps.
I just checked your contributions in Google Maps, and wow, just wow 
I can’t wait to read something more about your experience in some topic started by you? If you need help, here some link from our guidelines:
As you are introducing yourself here, I want to inform you tat I am merging your topic on our monthly: Introduce Yourself — January 2026
1 Like
1. Name: AdinSha
2. Location: Originally from India, currently living and working in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
3. What led you to become a Local Guide: My main motivation is the desire to help others discover “hidden gems” that aren’t on the typical tourist path. Beyond just sharing locations, I love the community aspect-I hope to connect and keep company with fellow explorers who have found their own secret spots in my locality.
4. My favorite thing to explore: I am drawn to historical landmarks, rugged hiking trails, and isolated areas where I can find some peace. I also love the beach. Since I work during the week, I dedicate my free weekends to these adventures, making the most of every “work-free” moment to see something new.
5. Fun fact about me: To be honest, I don’t have a typical “fun” fact or a hobby that feels like a joke. Right now, I am in a phase of life where I am working hard and struggling to build a truly happy, fun life for myself. I use my travels and my role as a Local Guide as a way to find that joy and peace of mind along the way.
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Thank you so much @TsekoV for introduce world local guides.
Hi @katoibrah , just checked your account - fotos are amazing! What device do you use?
1 Like
Thank you 
once I started to write my reviews I never ever could image to gain over 2 Mio of views and any followers 
I hope my reviews can help people to find proper locations over the world and especially in Vienna!
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Hola Luisa Muchas gracias 
Conocí a #TeamTacos 
@Lalopadilla @Light96 @cuicani @Bere_Marichi @aaron_fernandez_MX @Lizyeth_Villanueva @Janis_delaluz y muchos otros…. son muy cool 
y aquí estoy. Seria genial coinicidir contigo pronto en un a Live 
2 Likes