- I am on level 6 and not even 1 perk of google local guide received.
Where I redeem the perks please let me know. I saw few videos where u send t-shirts, badge or socks as a contributor to local guides. There is no point of helping google if we not getting anything.
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Hello @_aayushibansal
First things first, a hearty welcome,smiles and hugs to you ! We are glad you have come on the forum, itās the official site for local guides.
Maybe I should start by saying, local guides program is a voluntary program. Most local guides are on the program just for the love of it and voluntarily as well. Although Google offers some little perks from time to time to say thank you to local guides. Nevertheless itās not to be expected.
I suggest you to read Why be a Local Guide?
In any case, to know more about how to unlock potential benefits, please read: Question about a Local Guides reward email? Read this first
You are better contributing just for the fun and love of it really. I am doing the same here. Happy Mapping and guiding.
Cheers
First of all Welcome in Connect. My name is Ermes, I am a Level 10 Local guide.
Your question is interesting, and I think we can spend a few minutes in talking about this, and the meaning of āhelpingā.
I would like to start with a question. Are you a Map user? I mean, do you use Google Maps to decide or to get information about a place where you would like to go?
Why I am asking this? Because I think that the most common mistake is that people think that they are āhelping Googleā while in fact we are helping people like us.
I see that you cooperate with an NGO (congratulations 
) so I am sure that you know what helping and being helped means.
Well, being Local Guides we are doing the same, even if in a different way. Personally I added all the missing road in the earthquake are in central Italy, and I am feeling good because of this. Thousands of people will now be able to receive a parcel at home, a friend will be able to drive straight to their house. As you know already this is priceless. In addition, we receive for free a Map that is always updated thanks to people like us.
I have received no perks too, but I am fine with this. My best acknowledgement is to be selected as Guiding Star for this year, and I value this much more than a pair of socks.
What do you think
I appreciate your view on what it means to help and I think itās entirely relevant. I think itās important for LGs to understand that Google wants us to participate voluntarly.
You are absolutely correct to point out that free access to maps is awesome. As a frequent traveler, I ENTIRELY rely on maps 100%. I use NO OTHER PLATFORM. The reviews play a primary role in my decisions. I use maps more than any other Google program.
I understand the point that we, as users, contribute in order to help each other. User to User. But to imply that LG content isnāt helping Google is grossly incorrect.
Google doesnāt charge for maps. LGs donāt charge Google for the content. On the surface it seems like an equal handshake. But it absolutely is not.
Google isnāt providing maps for free out of the kindness of their heart. Itās free because they earn more money by keeping it free.
(Look how Angieās List has failed)
Some have estimated that maps rakes in up to 8 billion a year in revenue. All of which would not be possible without the user.
(Keep in mind that data has proven that user reviews are undoubtedly successful and profitable)
Launching the LG program was genius. The program increases reviews substantially. The more reviews, the more users on maps. And the more users- the more $$$
It boils down to this- maps wouldnāt be maps without user reviews.
So now this becomes an issue of profiting massively off of free content. Illegal? No. Not when users voluntarily hand the content over.
But Ethically?? Itās pretty crappy on googleās part.
People can survive without maps. But maps canāt sustain profits without the content.
Offering rewards and perks is the perfect way to give back to the dedicated repeat users that are providing Google with billions of dollars.
PS- Iād like to also say that the acknowledgment you received by being selected for the guiding star (much deserved for the work you did) is in fact a perk. Its just not a monitory perk.
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