Throughout my time so far with the Local Guides program on Google Maps, I’ve learned a lot more about the local businesses around me than I ever thought I would. I wanted to revisit some of the best things to come out of my time as a Local Guide and why this program means so much to me.
Most of the time that I use Google Maps, I’m looking for a way to get to places around me. I’m currently a college student in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, and moving here from a place that didn’t have a lot of public transportation was a difficult transition, to say the least. My freshman year, I barely left the blocks surrounding my campus. But now, along with the input of other amazing Local Guides, I’ve been finding unique and entertaining places all over Pittsburgh.
The lists and reviews provided by other users have been useful, and also using my timeline and reviews to save the places I’ve had a good time visiting has been really useful. I get to share places with my friends and family that I never would have found if it wasn’t for this online community.
Speaking of this, I think that the most important thing about this program to me is the community. There is nothing holding all of these people to putting in the work that they do in this program. No one would notice if one person stopped writing reviews, making lists, and posting in the community. However, every single, review, list, and post makes such a huge difference and informs the public about the beautiful, unique, diverse, and interesting world around us across the globe.
This community has helped me explore in places like Pittsburgh, D.C., New Mexico, and even across the pond to England and Scotland. Without the awesome work that Local Guides do, I would have missed out on incredible opportunities every time I traveled.
I hope to be considered for this conference because it would be a huge opportunity to become more involved in the Local Guides program and to make connections from all around the globe. However, just being able to be a part of this program year after year is the opportunity of a lifetime.