I am writing to express my disappointment and to request support.
For years I have been actively contributing to Google Maps as a Local Guide. My contributions include:
• Over 3,000 reviews published worldwide
• Nearly 9 million total views on my photos, reviews, and contributions
I do this purely to help people and improve the quality of information on Google Maps. However, despite this massive effort and impact, I have not received any meaningful support from Google.
• No financial compensation
• No technical support
• No recognition or resources that match the scale of my contribution
I understand the program is voluntary, but at this level of impact, I believe there should be a way to receive at least technical assistance or be part of a program that values top contributors.
I am proud of my work and want to continue, but I also feel unappreciated. Can you please advise if there is a support channel, ambassador program, or any form of recognition for contributors like me?
Thank you for your time. I hope to hear back and continue working with Google in a more supported way.
Hi @Housh2005 welcome to Connect. My main advice for you would be to look around here on Connect and try to see if there are any other local guides here from your area. If so, you could try to come together in a meetup - those are the most rewarding experiences I have had in the context of the local guides program.
Should you not be able to find other local guides near you, you can always join a virtual meetup.
One question: what exactly do you mean with 3000 reviews? In your profile I only see 193.
Thank you for your reply and for checking my profile.
You are right, my public reviews are 193.
But here is my full Google Maps profile with the real numbers:
And I attached a screenshot.
Details from my profile:
Level: 7
Total Contributions: 3.8k
Total Views: 8.9 Million
The 3.8k includes reviews, photos, edits, Q&A and place additions.
My main question is: As a Level 7 Guide with 8.9M views and 3.8k contributions, is there any support program, recognition, or direct contact with Google?
Because currently there is no way to get help when we have issues.
Thank you for your time
See what I’ve posted to Google Maps
Level 7 Local Guide
Contributions by HESHAM D.
1- Don’t be disappointed, keep contributing as much as you can, try to enjoy it.
2- Keep helping people by detailed reviews (Not only marking stars on the places you visit) this will help people for making better decisions based on your real experience.
3- Try to make regular scanning at the places you pass by in order to observe any changes to make edits on the maps, that would help in improving maps.
4- It is preferred that each review to be accompanied with clear photos and videos for making an overview about the place (Not only a text review).
5- If there’re regular meet-ups in your country, try to participate and attend them , it’d be beneficial !
Step by step, you’ll improve your work and would be more recognized…just try to be patient.
To be honest, you are actually getting support from the community right now, so why do you think there is no support.
You are correct that Google is not providing any free individual support on a free product like Maps. I would say that 99% of issues are covered in the help documents and the Maps help community. It is your job to find relevant pages and ask precise questions.
Also, I can’t help thinking that you might not be aware that we are about 500 million volunteer contributors on Google Maps.
Despite, the weekly praise emails use overly positive language, I urge you to take a look at
To get an impression of how grand contributions other Local Guides have made.
Finally, you can always request one of your peers to go over your contributions to get some tips on what guidelines you failed to read and follow.
If your intention was to get socks, pins or gifts, I want to make you aware of the fact that the Connect Live Events are back. Learn more here.
First of all, thank you so much for all your valuable replies and for taking the time to share your experience with me.
I really benefited a lot from people with such big numbers and years of experience like you. Your advice about focusing on quality, detailed reviews, photos, videos, and community meetups gave me a clear direction to improve.
I completely agree with all of you. The real reward for me is helping people make better decisions and improving the information on Google Maps. That’s why I started contributing in the first place.
Thank you to everyone who replied or even thought about replying. I appreciate all of you.
I hope to be a brother to all of you here, and I hope we can meet one day in person, maybe at a Connect Live event or a local meetup.
@Housh2005 Occassinally I would have the same feeling: what am I doing? Am I doing the right thing? I want assure you that you have done amazing things here and you are not alone. It’s much more than a hobby:) I got the notice that someone hearted my review or photos and I felt so great! The term I want to use here is RELIGIOUSLY! That’s what we are doing:) Making the world a better place, better understood place one photo, one review at a time! Keep guiding and happy snapping!
