Ok what’s the point of being a local guide for Google, honestly? All other social media there is a kick back or incentive or a way to get followers. With this we get nothing and feed googles AI and algorithms so more why even be a free employee for them. YouTube you can get add revenue, instagram paid promotion tik tok has the shop. Idk
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Hello @Scottylocalguide and welcome to Local Guides Connnect.
Local Guides is a community based platform that relies on voluntary contributions from users to help others make informed decisions about places. The Local Guides program encourages users to write reviews, share photos, answer questions, and edit map information. While participants earn points and levels for their contributions, the program is not designed to generate perks.
Here you can read more details about this topic Question about a Local Guides reward email? Read this first
But yes, Recognition comes through badges, levels, and occasional perks, which are offered based on the quality and consistency of contributions. To be eligible for perks, users must enable perk-related emails in Local Guides settings and remain active contributors.
Participation is entirely voluntary, with the main goal being to assist others and improve the map experience for everyone.
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I totally get where you’re coming from — half a million views is a lot of work to feel like it went nowhere. Honestly though, this one was never set up like YouTube or Instagram, there was never a payout tied to views or points, it’s a volunteer thing from the start. Sometimes Google does send a perk or an early access invite, but that’s never guaranteed either. For me personally, what kept me going is much smaller — a tiny shop in my village getting found because of a review, or someone telling me a photo helped them find the place. That doesn’t pay the bills, I know, but it’s the only real return I’ve counted on.
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