(A screenshot of the email Google sent me to celebrate my achievement)
Ever since I began to understand how the Local Guides program worked, I felt a strong desire to contribute. This passion grew in 2019 when I was selected to attend Connect Live 2019. Of course, when you first start out, the gamification aspect is one of the main attractions, and you want to level up quickly. But I soon realized that quality is more important than quantity.
It took me nearly five years to finally move up from Level 8 to Level 9 this week. I must admit, I felt a bit of excitement again, as I could finally leave Level 8 behind.
Over these past years, Iâm happy to have contributed both by sharing my genuine experiences with other users and by supporting small businesses. These days, my favorite way to contribute is by making edits to places I visitâespecially small businesses. I know that an incorrect address or phone number can really impact business for a small shop owner.
Recently, I was thrilled to help a local businessâa seamstress with a small atelierâwho had moved to a new location and was losing customers. She mentioned her challenge to me, and I offered to help. I was happy when my suggestion was quickly approved, and she recently told me sheâs already gaining new clients who found her through Google.
Of course, she could have done this herself through Google My Business, but for many small business owners, itâs not so simpleâin her case, sheâs from an older generation and isnât very comfortable with the internet.
Currently, I live in a tourist town where prices can be a bit high, so I like to report price ranges and review spots that arenât touristy but are popular with locals and can offer a more authentic experience at a reasonable price.
In the end, there are many ways to be a Local Guide. Whatâs your favorite way to contribute on Google Maps?
Well done!
Quality of contribution definitely matters more than quantity!
