Issue an official Google Local Card

[Shyamtak001]

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
#LocalGuideCard #Level7Guide #GoogleMapsIndia

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

[Rahul001]

Welcome to the community dear @Shyamtak001 .

@Shyamtak001

I respectfully request that Google consider providing official Digital ID Cards or Certificates to verified Local Guides.

There’s is no Official Digital ID card for Local Guides & 100% sure, there won’t be in future.

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

@Shyamtak001

I often encounter awkward or distrustful situations while taking photographs of public places for Google Maps.

Sometimes, local people question my purpose or ask me to delete photos, leading to discomfort and disruption in the mapping process.

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. That’s why, Guidlines on uploading media to Google Maps say not to capture faces.

I hope you understand it.

[SholaIB]

Hello @Shyamtak001

This is an issue that has been raised half a thousand times on connect. The response we often give is that we don’t 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 you’re not allowed to take a photo especially,please respect the view point of the POI owners and quietly walk away. It’s their buisness at the end of the day not yours. Please don’t jeopardise or risk any harm over performing some local guides activities. It’s 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

[MortenCopenhagen]

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

[MortenCopenhagen]

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

[iyudhi]

@Shyamtak001 like what @MortenCopenhagen mentioned above, your Google Maps profile page can serve as your Local Guide “ID” card. There are a few occassions in the past where people were curious about what I’m 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 it’s good enough for them and it also introduces them to the Local Guides program.

[deepakjhic]

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

[anon22766736]

Parabéns por esta solução, fantástica!

[Shyamtak001]

हिंदी संस्करण (Official Appeal Format)

विषय: Google Local Guides के लिए पहचान पत्र (ID Card) और प्रोत्साहन व्यवस्था की आवश्यकता

आदरणीय Google Maps टीम और Google India,

मैं एक समर्पित Google Local Guide हूं और मैंने पिछले कई वर्षों से आपके प्लेटफॉर्म पर अपने क्षेत्र की जानकारी, फ़ोटो, रिव्यूज़ और सही लोकेशन अपडेट करके समाज की सेवा की है।

लेकिन एक महत्वपूर्ण समस्या का सामना हमें फील्ड में बार-बार करना पड़ता है — जब हम किसी स्थल की फ़ोटो लेते हैं या जानकारी अपडेट करते हैं, तो वहां मौजूद लोग हमारा मोबाइल चेक करने की कोशिश करते हैं और हमारी मंशा पर शक करते हैं। कई बार गैलरी दिखाने को कहा जाता है और हमें असुविधाजनक स्थिति में डाल दिया जाता है। यदि हमारे पास एक अधिकृत गूगल ID कार्ड होता, तो ऐसी स्थिति से आसानी से निपटा जा सकता था।

साथ ही, Local Guides द्वारा किए गए कार्य के लिए आज तक कोई भी प्रोत्साहन (Incentives) जैसे कि मोबाइल, कैमरा, Tshirt, बैग, सर्टिफिकेट आदि नहीं दिए जाते, जबकि कई गाइड्स हजारों रिव्यूज़ और फ़ोटो पोस्ट कर चुके हैं। इससे मनोबल कम होता है और लंबे समय तक कार्य करना चुनौतीपूर्ण हो जाता है।

मेरा विनम्र अनुरोध है कि:

1. Google भारत में सभी एक्टिव Local Guides को एक Official डिजिटल या प्रिंटेड पहचान पत्र प्रदान करे।
2. बेहतर प्रदर्शन करने वाले Guides को कुछ न्यूनतम प्रोत्साहन जैसे Official merchandise, recognition badges या yearly appreciation gifts दिए जाएं।
3. एक Dedicated Helpline या E-mail Support system हो, जहां गाइड अपनी फील्ड की समस्याओं को Google तक पहुंचा सकें।

Google का उद्देश्य विश्व को बेहतर बनाना है, और हम Local Guides इसी मिशन में निस्वार्थ सहयोग कर रहे हैं। हमें थोड़ा पहचान और सहयोग मिलेगा, तो हम और भी अच्छा योगदान दे सकेंगे।

आपका धन्यवाद।

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

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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 fieldwork—especially 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, it’s 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 contributors—such as merchandise, badges, or yearly rewards.
3. Launch a support channel or email specifically for Local Guides facing on-ground issues.

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

Thank you sincerely.

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

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[Rahul001]

Dear @Shyamtak001,

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

@Shyamtak001

Offer basic incentives and recognitions for contributors—such as merchandise, badges, or yearly rewards.

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.

[MortenCopenhagen]

@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.

[Shyamtak001]

**शीर्षक (Title)
लोकल गाइड्स के लिए आधिकारिक पहचान (Digital ID / Verification) की आवश्यकता

संदेश (Post Content):
नमस्कार,
मैं एक Google Local Guide हूँ और लंबे समय से गूगल मैप्स पर फोटो, रिव्यू और अन्य कंटेंट योगदान दे रहा हूँ।

फील्ड में जब हम किसी स्थान की फोटो खींचते हैं या वीडियो बनाते हैं, तो हमें कई बार स्थानीय लोगों और स्टाफ से सवालों का सामना करना पड़ता है। अक्सर लोग पूछते हैं कि “आप कौन हैं? क्यों फोटो ले रहे हैं?” और कई बार तो मोबाइल चेक करने जैसी असुविधाजनक स्थिति भी उत्पन्न हो जाती है।

ऐसी स्थिति में यदि गूगल अपने लोकल गाइड्स को कम से कम एक डिजिटल वेरिफिकेशन बैज / QR Code आधारित पहचान पत्र (ID) उपलब्ध कराए तो हम आसानी से सामने वाले को दिखाकर अपना परिचय दे सकें और कार्य कर सकें।

सुझाव:

• Google Maps प्रोफ़ाइल से लिंक किया हुआ Digital ID Card / QR Verification
• Google Local Guides ऐप/प्रोफ़ाइल में “Verified Contributor” Badge
• आधिकारिक तौर पर स्वीकार किया हुआ कोई ऐसा फीचर जिसे हम जरूरत पड़ने पर स्थानीय लोगों को दिखा सकें।

यह सुविधा सभी लोकल गाइड्स के लिए फायदेमंद होगी और हमारे योगदान को और अधिक सहज व सुरक्षित बनाएगी।

धन्यवाद।
श्याम सुंदर टाक
Google Local Guide (Level 7)
Points:9180

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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 “Who are you? Why are you taking photos?” 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.

Suggested Ideas:

• A Digital ID Card / QR Verification linked to the Local Guides profile.
• A “Verified Contributor” 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.
— [ShyamSunderTak
Google Local Guide (Level 7)
Points:9180

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[WilfriedB]

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

[jeckelbarger]

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).

What’s worked best for me is dressing like a photographer. I bought a fishing vest and Tilley hat from Amazon and that’s been a game changer.

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

[ErmesT]

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.
I’m 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 “what are you doing?”. 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

[jeckelbarger]

See below for links:

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

[Shaunak]

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

[ErmesT]

@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