I have been an active Local Guide and passionate contributor on Google Maps for several years now. I truly enjoy sharing reviews and photos to help millions of users discover the best places and experiences.
Recently, I have faced a major hurdle — my mobile phone is no longer in good condition, making it extremely difficult for me to post high-quality reviews and images. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to afford a new device.
Since Google is not only the creator of Google Maps but also the manufacturer of the amazing Pixel devices, I thought I would reach out here. I humbly request if there could be any way for me to receive a Pixel 9 device or be considered for a program that could support active Local Guides like me. It would help me continue my contributions at an even higher level, and I would love to stay active in helping the Google Maps community grow.
Regardless of the outcome, thank you for the opportunity and for building such a wonderful platform.
Local Guide is a volunteer program, you will not get anything for your contribution to Google Maps, but Google will recognize you as a Local Guide for your contribution. In any case, you will get points for each contribution you make to Google Maps and you can upgrade your local guide level.
From time to time, in a selected region, Google may send emails to Local Guides randomly in exchange for such rewards as their contribution to LG, but there are no set criteria or rules for Local Guides to be eligible for any reward.
Also, to receive the benefits, you must be subscribed to their emails and contribute to Maps regularly. Make sure your email preferences have the benefits emails enabled by visiting Local Guides settings .
Finally, have a look at the article below for explanations on how rewards work in Local Guides:
Hi @Divyansh_2545 , welcome to Connect, and thank you for asking.
I am really puzzled by what you said
From 2018 to date you added 86 photos. Not counting duplicates , redundant (already mentioned by @new.user ) and the ones already removed by Google we may consider 72 photos, with an average of less than 11 photos per year (less than one per month).
Having a good opinion of your contributions is normal, but honestly I think “active” is a bit of an overstatement. What should Local Guides who contribute at least one photo a day say?
Of course there is: Google Store
More seriously now: there are over 500 million people contributing to Google Maps, over 150 million of them are Local Guides, and many of them contribute more than you.
Even if it costs Google half of the retail price of a phone to produce and market it, how much would Google have to invest to give all the local guides a phone?
We are talking about $66 billion, which is over 10% of the budget of all of India from April 2024 to March 2025.
Sure, from your point of view it would be an investment: $880 in exchange for one photo per month. Do you think it is worth it?
I think this can easily explain @new.user’s question:
@Divyansh_2545 My philisophy in life is to ask when I want something, because what’s the worst that can happen? I get no for an answer. But even for this I can assure you that you won’t be able to get a Pixel 9 from Google.
The truth is you don’t need the best phone to contribute. As long as your phone can still take photos, you will still be able to contribute. If the camera on your phone is broken, then you can use any other camera, take the photos, upload them to a computer, then upload the photos through Google Maps on your computer.
Let’s say you’re not willing to do all those, there are other contributions you can do other than taking photos. You can still write reviews, edit information, review suggestions, give ratings.
Hopefully you can get your phone fixed or get a new one soon.
With due respect, again I am saying with due respect, I understand the need to address requests that might not align with community resources or expectations. However, I felt the tone of the reply to @Divyansh_2545 first post could have been more welcoming and encouraging.
While factual data about contribution levels is relevant in some contexts, starting a conversation with a new member by dissecting their past activity and labeling their self-perception as an “overstatement” might inadvertently discourage future participation. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and this was their first time engaging with the Connect community.
Perhaps a gentler approach could have been taken, acknowledging their enthusiasm for Google Maps and their current difficulty, before addressing the feasibility of their specific request. You could have offered alternative suggestions or simply welcomed them to the community and encouraged their continued contributions in whatever way they are currently able.
As senior members and moderators, our words carry weight and significantly shape the community’s atmosphere. Fostering a supportive and understanding environment is crucial for growth and engagement. Let’s strive to welcome all new members in a way that makes them feel valued and motivated to contribute, regardless of their current contribution level. There was no need to breakdown his contribution and present the critical analysis publicly. Our reply must not be lack of empathy and encouragement.
Again I am repeating, this is with due respect. Please do not take otherwise.
It’s great to hear about your passion for Google Maps and your desire to contribute. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and photos over the years.
I understand that having a phone in good condition is essential for capturing quality content. It sounds like you’re facing a real challenge right now, and it’s admirable that you’re looking for ways to continue and even enhance your contributions.
While Google doesn’t currently have a program in place to provide devices to Local Guides, your dedication to helping others on the platform is truly valued. There are still many ways you can contribute, even with a less-than-ideal phone. Perhaps focusing on detailed reviews, answering questions about places you know well, or updating information could be options for you in the meantime.
The Local Guides community is here to support each other. If you have any questions about contributing in different ways, or if there are any resources you’d like to explore, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’re glad to have you here..!
dear @Rohan10 , you are absolutely right. Don’t worry, I understood the meaning of your message perfectly, and I appreciate it very much. Your words, and those of @JC_JKRLOSS in another post are helping me a lot.
I will try to treasure both of your advice. There are times when the gentle reminder of friends like you helps to avoid taking wrong and too rigorous paths.
Thanks again.
@Divyansh_2545 , I apologize if I came across as rude, that wasn’t my intention.
This is a great community, where there’s always someone to bring you back on track, and I think you should take advantage of that and use it as a source of inspiration.
Dear @ErmesT
First of all I sincerely thanks to your prompt reply to this new lg query.
However I really appreciate this new LG @Divyansh_2545 to be honest and transparent as he asked in the connect forum which is right community not on any other social media or other unauthorised resources community.
As we all know that connecting and keep enhancing the community is how much challenging to get Honest unselfish genuine LG specially country like India.
We are seniors who makes us seniors.
I remember our initial days we too had been guided by senior members of our community they treated us with lot of love and affection as we are not being paid because our services are priceless.
I seek our kind apology on @ErmesT behalf we must treat them to retain to get offended publically.
Hope rest of community vouch for it and welcome him and explain this is our noble service.
Where we work for community.
If any gift come that’s a surprise that can be sponsored or win let them be juridiction of the giver.
We should continue to work for community remain in the wonderful family called local guide.
Let’s work as TEAM
Together
Everyone
Achieve
MORE
Thanks and regards
Anil
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Just a humble clarification comparing Google’s budget with India’s national budget feels a bit inappropriate. India, with over a billion people, carries a deep cultural and emotional identity for many of us. We believe feedback can be shared without indirectly belittling any country. Let’s continue encouraging contributions with mutual respect. Everyone’s effort matters, big or small..
@Divyansh_2545
Even,I am contributing from 7 years 7 months ,I have changed 4 mobile since last year’s buy extra storage from Google every month 210 Rs … To save photos.
Last month only told my son need new phone .
Yes Google can gift those who really working hard through out the year .
In Delhi they said we Indian are top contributors on Google maps.Even on business summit felt proud we Indian local guides together made Indian community on top.
Don’t worry waheguru ji blessings are with us those who work hard waheguru ji shower his blessings on us.
Yes we can tell Googlers and all moderator globally to look into the matter .
Those who are active throught the years on connect,Google maps, attending virtual meet up such local guides globally should be considered…
With due respect to everyone. When Google call Local Guides as family .So they should listen to family members and take care of them.
Dear @Shrut19 , thank you for your passionate response. We have known each other for a long time, even if we have never had the opportunity to meet in person, and I think we know well the passion that we both put into the Local Guides program and this community. Your country has a deep culture and a very important history in the world panorama, and you know very well that I would never allow myself to disrespect it. Therefore, I am very surprised and sorry that you took only a part of my response to attribute to it a meaning (comparing the balance sheet of a company with that of a state) different from what I wrote, and which can be easily deduced by reading the entire conversation. It pains me very much to see my words altered in this way, and I wonder what is the motivation that leads you to do so. But it does not matter, my respect for you and for the community remains unchanged, however I think I will have to reconsider the way I interact. You know very well that my answers to the community, all of them, have always been guided by respect for Google Maps rules and logic, and that before answering I analyze profile and contents, because I hate giving standard and often perfectly useless answers. If the community prefers to have that type of answer, well, then I prefer not to answer at all.
A hug
@ErmesT None of your words were altered - they are still out there, anyone with a fair knowledge of English can see you dragged countries and their budgets in your reply, which Rohan politely explained was not well taken by anyone.
And there was no motivation behind her reply, She is an ordinary housewife who keeps to herself and silently encourages local guides who post on Connect in her capacity.
You overstepped. Your apologies in the previous reply are accepted. Let’s move on…
need new phone 
.