Issue an official Google Local Card

Shyam Sunder Tak
Hello fellow Local Guides and Moderators,

I am Shyam Sunder Tak from Kishangarh, Rajasthan, India. I am a Level 7 Local Guide with 8255 points and soon to reach Level 8. I actively contribute to Google Maps through reviews, photos, and local information to help people discover places.

I would like to request Google to consider issuing an official Digital Local Guide ID Card for recognition and identification in the field. It would add more trust and encouragement for contributors like us.

Please share your thoughts and support this request!

Thank you :folded_hands:
#LocalGuideCard #Level7Guide #GoogleMapsIndia

:folded_hands: Shyam Sunder Tak
:round_pushpin: Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan (India)
:camera_with_flash: Google Local Guide Level 7 | 8,255 Points
:world_map: Contributor to Google Maps since 2022
:star: Focus: Reviews тАв Photos тАв Places тАв Temples
:link: My Google Maps Profile
#LocalGuides #GoogleMapsIndia #Level7Guide

Welcome to the community dear @Shyamtak001 .

ThereтАЩs is no Official Digital ID card for Local Guides & 100% sure, there wonтАЩt be in future.

We are local guides which is also volunteers for Local Guide Program.

You should keep it in mind that we as a local guide should respect privacy of others, especially when we take photo in public. If we take a photo & a public is in the photo, they have every right to say about deleting it. ThatтАЩs why, Guidlines on uploading media to Google Maps say not to capture faces.

I hope you understand it.

Hello @Shyamtak001

This is an issue that has been raised half a thousand times on connect. The response we often give is that we donтАЩt need an official ID as local guides since we are just voluntary contributors. Feel free to show them your Google maps profile on your mobile and nothing more.

Only Google employees deserve an Identity card. Moreso if youтАЩre not allowed to take a photo especially,please respect the view point of the POI owners and quietly walk away. ItтАЩs their buisness at the end of the day not yours. Please donтАЩt jeopardise or risk any harm over performing some local guides activities. ItтАЩs not worth it forcing issues and getting into troubles as a local guide.

I have gotten into trouble once and I have promised not to go that far anymore. This is my opinion on this. Nevertheless keep contributing voluntarily and freely. Quality over quantity remember.

Happy guiding
Cheers

You will have to use your Maps profile page in the app.

I shared some QR code tips you may want to take a look at:

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t/your-id-card-solution/391387

You may want to edit the heading.
Change Car to Card.

@Shyamtak001 like what @MortenCopenhagen mentioned above, your Google Maps profile page can serve as your Local Guide тАЬIDтАЭ card. There are a few occassions in the past where people were curious about what IтАЩm doing, and all I had to do was to show them my Maps profile page and explain them about the levels, contribution and stuff. Usually itтАЩs good enough for them and it also introduces them to the Local Guides program.

I still remember there was a long thread on it back in 2016 or 2017. At that time, Local Guides were asking for ID cards and T-shirts to show to the business owners, but that is something not feasible from the team. And in the last it was declared, please ask before taking pictures.

Your case could be different but when you are in front of/inside any business then asking the for photos would be the best way.

Furthermore, if you are in a public place, it is on you how you deal with it.

@Shyamtak001

Parab├йns por esta solu├з├гo, fant├бstica!

рд╣рд┐рдВрджреА рд╕рдВрд╕реНрдХрд░рдг (Official Appeal Format)

рд╡рд┐рд╖рдп: Google Local Guides рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди рдкрддреНрд░ (ID Card) рдФрд░ рдкреНрд░реЛрддреНрд╕рд╛рд╣рди рд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╕реНрдерд╛ рдХреА рдЖрд╡рд╢реНрдпрдХрддрд╛

рдЖрджрд░рдгреАрдп Google Maps рдЯреАрдо рдФрд░ Google India,

рдореИрдВ рдПрдХ рд╕рдорд░реНрдкрд┐рдд Google Local Guide рд╣реВрдВ рдФрд░ рдореИрдВрдиреЗ рдкрд┐рдЫрд▓реЗ рдХрдИ рд╡рд░реНрд╖реЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдЖрдкрдХреЗ рдкреНрд▓реЗрдЯрдлреЙрд░реНрдо рдкрд░ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдХреНрд╖реЗрддреНрд░ рдХреА рдЬрд╛рдирдХрд╛рд░реА, рдлрд╝реЛрдЯреЛ, рд░рд┐рд╡реНрдпреВрдЬрд╝ рдФрд░ рд╕рд╣реА рд▓реЛрдХреЗрд╢рди рдЕрдкрдбреЗрдЯ рдХрд░рдХреЗ рд╕рдорд╛рдЬ рдХреА рд╕реЗрд╡рд╛ рдХреА рд╣реИред

рд▓реЗрдХрд┐рди рдПрдХ рдорд╣рддреНрд╡рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╕рдорд╕реНрдпрд╛ рдХрд╛ рд╕рд╛рдордирд╛ рд╣рдореЗрдВ рдлреАрд▓реНрдб рдореЗрдВ рдмрд╛рд░-рдмрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдкрдбрд╝рддрд╛ рд╣реИ тАФ рдЬрдм рд╣рдо рдХрд┐рд╕реА рд╕реНрдерд▓ рдХреА рдлрд╝реЛрдЯреЛ рд▓реЗрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рдирдХрд╛рд░реА рдЕрдкрдбреЗрдЯ рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ, рддреЛ рд╡рд╣рд╛рдВ рдореМрдЬреВрдж рд▓реЛрдЧ рд╣рдорд╛рд░рд╛ рдореЛрдмрд╛рдЗрд▓ рдЪреЗрдХ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХреА рдХреЛрд╢рд┐рд╢ рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ рдФрд░ рд╣рдорд╛рд░реА рдордВрд╢рд╛ рдкрд░ рд╢рдХ рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рд░ рдЧреИрд▓рд░реА рджрд┐рдЦрд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЛ рдХрд╣рд╛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рд╣рдореЗрдВ рдЕрд╕реБрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рдЬрдирдХ рд╕реНрдерд┐рддрд┐ рдореЗрдВ рдбрд╛рд▓ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдпрджрд┐ рд╣рдорд╛рд░реЗ рдкрд╛рд╕ рдПрдХ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХреГрдд рдЧреВрдЧрд▓ ID рдХрд╛рд░реНрдб рд╣реЛрддрд╛, рддреЛ рдРрд╕реА рд╕реНрдерд┐рддрд┐ рд╕реЗ рдЖрд╕рд╛рдиреА рд╕реЗ рдирд┐рдкрдЯрд╛ рдЬрд╛ рд╕рдХрддрд╛ рдерд╛ред

рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА, Local Guides рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдХрд┐рдП рдЧрдП рдХрд╛рд░реНрдп рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЖрдЬ рддрдХ рдХреЛрдИ рднреА рдкреНрд░реЛрддреНрд╕рд╛рд╣рди (Incentives) рдЬреИрд╕реЗ рдХрд┐ рдореЛрдмрд╛рдЗрд▓, рдХреИрдорд░рд╛, Tshirt, рдмреИрдЧ, рд╕рд░реНрдЯрд┐рдлрд┐рдХреЗрдЯ рдЖрджрд┐ рдирд╣реАрдВ рджрд┐рдП рдЬрд╛рддреЗ, рдЬрдмрдХрд┐ рдХрдИ рдЧрд╛рдЗрдбреНрд╕ рд╣рдЬрд╛рд░реЛрдВ рд░рд┐рд╡реНрдпреВрдЬрд╝ рдФрд░ рдлрд╝реЛрдЯреЛ рдкреЛрд╕реНрдЯ рдХрд░ рдЪреБрдХреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдЗрд╕рд╕реЗ рдордиреЛрдмрд▓ рдХрдо рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рд▓рдВрдмреЗ рд╕рдордп рддрдХ рдХрд╛рд░реНрдп рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдЪреБрдиреМрддреАрдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╣реЛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рд╣реИред

рдореЗрд░рд╛ рд╡рд┐рдирдореНрд░ рдЕрдиреБрд░реЛрдз рд╣реИ рдХрд┐:

  1. Google рднрд╛рд░рдд рдореЗрдВ рд╕рднреА рдПрдХреНрдЯрд┐рд╡ Local Guides рдХреЛ рдПрдХ Official рдбрд┐рдЬрд┐рдЯрд▓ рдпрд╛ рдкреНрд░рд┐рдВрдЯреЗрдб рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди рдкрддреНрд░ рдкреНрд░рджрд╛рди рдХрд░реЗред
  2. рдмреЗрд╣рддрд░ рдкреНрд░рджрд░реНрд╢рди рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ Guides рдХреЛ рдХреБрдЫ рдиреНрдпреВрдирддрдо рдкреНрд░реЛрддреНрд╕рд╛рд╣рди рдЬреИрд╕реЗ Official merchandise, recognition badges рдпрд╛ yearly appreciation gifts рджрд┐рдП рдЬрд╛рдПрдВред
  3. рдПрдХ Dedicated Helpline рдпрд╛ E-mail Support system рд╣реЛ, рдЬрд╣рд╛рдВ рдЧрд╛рдЗрдб рдЕрдкрдиреА рдлреАрд▓реНрдб рдХреА рд╕рдорд╕реНрдпрд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЛ Google рддрдХ рдкрд╣реБрдВрдЪрд╛ рд╕рдХреЗрдВред

Google рдХрд╛ рдЙрджреНрджреЗрд╢реНрдп рд╡рд┐рд╢реНрд╡ рдХреЛ рдмреЗрд╣рддрд░ рдмрдирд╛рдирд╛ рд╣реИ, рдФрд░ рд╣рдо Local Guides рдЗрд╕реА рдорд┐рд╢рди рдореЗрдВ рдирд┐рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд░реНрде рд╕рд╣рдпреЛрдЧ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣реЗ рд╣реИрдВред рд╣рдореЗрдВ рдереЛрдбрд╝рд╛ рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди рдФрд░ рд╕рд╣рдпреЛрдЧ рдорд┐рд▓реЗрдЧрд╛, рддреЛ рд╣рдо рдФрд░ рднреА рдЕрдЪреНрдЫрд╛ рдпреЛрдЧрджрд╛рди рджреЗ рд╕рдХреЗрдВрдЧреЗред

рдЖрдкрдХрд╛ рдзрдиреНрдпрд╡рд╛рджред

- Shyam Sunder Tak
Google Local Guide Level 7
Location: Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Points: 8255+


English Version (for Global Forum)

Subject: Request for ID Card and Recognition System for Google Local Guides

Dear Google Maps and Google India Team,

I am a dedicated Google Local Guide from India, contributing actively to the platform with location edits, reviews, and photos for several years.

However, I often face challenging situations during fieldworkтАФespecially when I take photos or verify information. People sometimes question my intentions, check my phone, and even ask me to show my gallery. Without any official identification, itтАЩs very hard to explain or prove my association with Google Maps.

Also, despite significant contributions, no incentives or appreciation like T-shirts, mobile accessories, certificates, or official gear have ever been provided, even at higher levels like Level 7, 8, or above.

I humbly request Google to:

  1. Provide a verified Digital or Printed ID Card for all active Local Guides.
  2. Offer basic incentives and recognitions for contributorsтАФsuch as merchandise, badges, or yearly rewards.
  3. Launch a support channel or email specifically for Local Guides facing on-ground issues.

We serve GoogleтАЩs mission of improving the worldтАЩs map accuracy selflessly, and just a bit of official recognition and support would inspire us to do even better.

Thank you sincerely.

тАУ Shyam Sunder Tak
Google Local Guide Level 7
Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Points: 8255+


Dear @Shyamtak001,

I think Answer/solution to this content is told by other Local guides & Connect Moderators in this post of yours.

For this, We are volunteers for Local Guides Program.

Recognition comes in different ways, either inviting to events, featuring here on Connect or getting a badge here.

@Shyamtak001

I will merge this post into your previous post about the same topic.

As we are volunteers we do not have any formal relationship with Google. Imagine a Local Guide who misuse an ID issued by Google. They would then have no leverage to stop this. If we were hired and paid a salary they can demand us to return the official ID and in the end they could terminate our employment.

When considering how much spam and fake reviews are posted every single day, I think it is reasonable not to issue any ID to Local Guides. This would make it too easy for LGs to ask for special favors from businesses who fear Google Maps could share negative information.

Also, fellow Maps users expect unbiased reviews which is not the case if you could flash a Google ID.

Try considering the free Maps app and this international community as valuable benefits instead.

**рд╢реАрд░реНрд╖рдХ (Title)
рд▓реЛрдХрд▓ рдЧрд╛рдЗрдбреНрд╕ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЖрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░рд┐рдХ рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди (Digital ID / Verification) рдХреА рдЖрд╡рд╢реНрдпрдХрддрд╛

рд╕рдВрджреЗрд╢ (Post Content):
рдирдорд╕реНрдХрд╛рд░,
рдореИрдВ рдПрдХ Google Local Guide рд╣реВрдБ рдФрд░ рд▓рдВрдмреЗ рд╕рдордп рд╕реЗ рдЧреВрдЧрд▓ рдореИрдкреНрд╕ рдкрд░ рдлреЛрдЯреЛ, рд░рд┐рд╡реНрдпреВ рдФрд░ рдЕрдиреНрдп рдХрдВрдЯреЗрдВрдЯ рдпреЛрдЧрджрд╛рди рджреЗ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реВрдБред

рдлреАрд▓реНрдб рдореЗрдВ рдЬрдм рд╣рдо рдХрд┐рд╕реА рд╕реНрдерд╛рди рдХреА рдлреЛрдЯреЛ рдЦреАрдВрдЪрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ рдпрд╛ рд╡реАрдбрд┐рдпреЛ рдмрдирд╛рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ, рддреЛ рд╣рдореЗрдВ рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рд░ рд╕реНрдерд╛рдиреАрдп рд▓реЛрдЧреЛрдВ рдФрд░ рд╕реНрдЯрд╛рдл рд╕реЗ рд╕рд╡рд╛рд▓реЛрдВ рдХрд╛ рд╕рд╛рдордирд╛ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдкрдбрд╝рддрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЕрдХреНрд╕рд░ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдкреВрдЫрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ рдХрд┐ тАЬрдЖрдк рдХреМрди рд╣реИрдВ? рдХреНрдпреЛрдВ рдлреЛрдЯреЛ рд▓реЗ рд░рд╣реЗ рд╣реИрдВ?тАЭ рдФрд░ рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рд░ рддреЛ рдореЛрдмрд╛рдЗрд▓ рдЪреЗрдХ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдЬреИрд╕реА рдЕрд╕реБрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рдЬрдирдХ рд╕реНрдерд┐рддрд┐ рднреА рдЙрддреНрдкрдиреНрди рд╣реЛ рдЬрд╛рддреА рд╣реИред

рдРрд╕реА рд╕реНрдерд┐рддрд┐ рдореЗрдВ рдпрджрд┐ рдЧреВрдЧрд▓ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рд▓реЛрдХрд▓ рдЧрд╛рдЗрдбреНрд╕ рдХреЛ рдХрдо рд╕реЗ рдХрдо рдПрдХ рдбрд┐рдЬрд┐рдЯрд▓ рд╡реЗрд░рд┐рдлрд┐рдХреЗрд╢рди рдмреИрдЬ / QR Code рдЖрдзрд╛рд░рд┐рдд рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди рдкрддреНрд░ (ID) рдЙрдкрд▓рдмреНрдз рдХрд░рд╛рдП рддреЛ рд╣рдо рдЖрд╕рд╛рдиреА рд╕реЗ рд╕рд╛рдордиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рдХреЛ рджрд┐рдЦрд╛рдХрд░ рдЕрдкрдирд╛ рдкрд░рд┐рдЪрдп рджреЗ рд╕рдХреЗрдВ рдФрд░ рдХрд╛рд░реНрдп рдХрд░ рд╕рдХреЗрдВред

:backhand_index_pointing_right: рд╕реБрдЭрд╛рд╡:

  • Google Maps рдкреНрд░реЛрдлрд╝рд╛рдЗрд▓ рд╕реЗ рд▓рд┐рдВрдХ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рд╣реБрдЖ Digital ID Card / QR Verification
  • Google Local Guides рдРрдк/рдкреНрд░реЛрдлрд╝рд╛рдЗрд▓ рдореЗрдВ тАЬVerified ContributorтАЭ Badge
  • рдЖрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░рд┐рдХ рддреМрд░ рдкрд░ рд╕реНрд╡реАрдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рд╣реБрдЖ рдХреЛрдИ рдРрд╕рд╛ рдлреАрдЪрд░ рдЬрд┐рд╕реЗ рд╣рдо рдЬрд░реВрд░рдд рдкрдбрд╝рдиреЗ рдкрд░ рд╕реНрдерд╛рдиреАрдп рд▓реЛрдЧреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рджрд┐рдЦрд╛ рд╕рдХреЗрдВред

рдпрд╣ рд╕реБрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛ рд╕рднреА рд▓реЛрдХрд▓ рдЧрд╛рдЗрдбреНрд╕ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдлрд╛рдпрджреЗрдордВрдж рд╣реЛрдЧреА рдФрд░ рд╣рдорд╛рд░реЗ рдпреЛрдЧрджрд╛рди рдХреЛ рдФрд░ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХ рд╕рд╣рдЬ рд╡ рд╕реБрд░рдХреНрд╖рд┐рдд рдмрдирд╛рдПрдЧреАред

рдзрдиреНрдпрд╡рд╛рджред
рд╢реНрдпрд╛рдо рд╕реБрдВрджрд░ рдЯрд╛рдХ
Google Local Guide (Level 7)
Points:9180


:writing_hand: English Draft (For Local Guides Connect)

Title:
Need for Official Identification (Digital ID / Verification) for Local Guides

Post Content:
Hello,
I am a Google Local Guide and have been contributing photos, reviews, and other valuable content on Google Maps for a long time.

While taking photos or videos in the field, we often face questions and doubts from local people or staff. Many times, people ask тАЬWho are you? Why are you taking photos?тАЭ and in some cases, it even creates uncomfortable situations where they ask to check our mobile phones.

In such cases, if Google could provide Local Guides with at least a Digital Verification Badge / QR Code-based ID, it would help us identify ourselves easily and continue our contributions without unnecessary interruptions.

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Suggested Ideas:

  • A Digital ID Card / QR Verification linked to the Local Guides profile.
  • A тАЬVerified ContributorтАЭ Badge in the Google Maps app/profile.
  • Any official verification feature that we can show when required.

This would be extremely beneficial for all Local Guides and make our contributions smoother and safer.

Thank you.
тАФ [ShyamSunderTak
Google Local Guide (Level 7)
Points:9180


Hello @Shyamtak001, the same question has been asked here several times. See for example @MortenCopenhagenтАЩs response here: Issue an official Google Local Card - #4 by MortenCopenhagen

Excellent idea.

We need a better solution, from something as simple as a Local Guides hat or t-shirt to a gold card after a certain level (e.g., think Robinhood or Amex).

WhatтАЩs worked best for me is dressing like a photographer. I bought a fishing vest and Tilley hat from Amazon and thatтАЩs been a game changer.

People ask if IтАЩm a photographer now, instead of calling the cops. So definitely recommend that @Shyamtak001

Well, my ID is my Google Maps App, @Shyamtak001
When I ask for the permission to take photos to upload in their listing in Google Maps I simply show my profile, where my previous contributions are clearly visible.
Of course I try to keep my profile in good condition, avoiding to post selfies, redundant and duplicates photos, and to carefully select the photos that I upload.
IтАЩm not trying to appear as photographer, but simply as a good Local Guide, and usually the answer is, yes please, take all the photos you want. Often small businesses suggest me what to photograph, because they feel that that corner of the shop is the one that is better representing them.
Only ones a cop stopped me. It was after COVID, and after the lockdown I was reopening in maps the businesses.
The cop asked me тАЬwhat are you doing?тАЭ. I showed my profile in Maps (photos and edits) and he guided me all around the mall to make sure that I was reopening all the businesses.
Simple, and without any additional (and maybe fake) certificate that everyone could create by himself.
The app is public, and my profile is showing clearly what I am doing in Google Maps

See below for links:

#1 тАФ Tilley Hat тАФ https://a.co/d/eYESgbw
#2 тАФ Photography Vest тАФ https://a.co/d/bDrmwFy
#3 тАФ Stabilizer тАФ https://a.co/d/gnm3SyZ

Looking the part makes all the difference, in my experience. Even the #1 contributor rocks a vest, per the Medium article.

Happy hunting :globe_showing_americas::round_pushpin::selfie::safety_vest::billed_cap:

Indeed @ErmesT I agree with your words. My Google Maps app is my identity.

@Shyamtak001
I want to inform you that, to keep Connect organized, I am merging your last topic on the previous one posted by you just a few days ago about the same subject.
Kindly avoid to start multiple topics about a single subject because this will dilute the conversation.

Thank you