The difference between advertisement and faithful reports. That's what Local Guides means to me.

Google Maps contribution stories
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In an advertisement everything seems perfect: the sandwich is tasty, the salad is fresh, the store is clean and beautiful! But in real life, when you arrive at the place, you realize that sometimes the reality is different: for worse or for better. And only the report of the people who visited the place can convey the real feeling of being there. That’s what Local Guides means to me: getting a genuine account of the place.

When I started using Google Maps, about 4 years ago, I realized that the visitors’ reports were very personal, full of details with which I identified. And I thought, I need to be part of this, help people to know new places, help to inform what this place has good or bad, so they can decide if they want to know it or not. Even if it is a simple but true comment, with a good tip, it will interest people, like the comment I made about the Ross store in Orlando. Less than 1 month later, I received an email stating that the assessment had already been seen by almost 150 people!

Caption: the email I received about my rewiew of the Ross store in Orlando. Translation: 148 people viewed your review. (Local Guide Eberle Moreira)
Caption: the email I received about my rewiew of the Ross store in Orlando. Translation: 148 people viewed your review. (Local Guide Eberle Moreira)450×425 31.8 KB

I love to know how many people I am helping to decide if that place is worth it. Through Local Guides I can not only help people to have a genuine view of a place, but also provide feedback to the owner. Most of my posts are from establishments and locations in my city, Ponta Grossa, at Paraná state, Brazil. In the review below I criticized the quality of the meals served at the local McDonalds. The owner not only replied to my post, but also, to my surprise, when I went back to the place, the manager recognized me and personally went to my table to explain what measures were being implemented to improve meals. I felt so important!

Caption: A screenshot of my review written in Portuguese of local McDonalds, in Ponta Grossa, and the owner’s response. Translation: It's getting better. But it is common for the soda to come only with water and gas, with no flavor, from the end of the barrel. Potatoes have to be made on the spot, otherwise you risk getting cold and wilted. Owner's Response 4 months ago Thanks for visiting, to help us improve, you can tell us more details at sac@sacmcdonalds.com.br. Thanks! (Local Guide Eberle Moreira)
Caption: A screenshot of my review written in Portuguese of local McDonalds, in Ponta Grossa, and the owner’s response. Translation: It's getting better. But it is common for the soda to come only with water and gas, with no flavor, from the end of the barrel. Potatoes have to be made on the spot, otherwise you risk getting cold and wilted. Owner's Response 4 months ago Thanks for visiting, to help us improve, you can tell us more details at sac@sacmcdonalds.com.br. Thanks! (Local Guide Eberle Moreira)384×402 35.6 KB

It is wonderful to know that you are making a difference. Whether giving tips on shopping or places to visit, or helping owners to have visibility and improve their business through reports from real people, not through commissioned advertisements. The entire community wins. And the feeling is priceless!

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@Eberle_Moreira nice post!! A good contribution!!

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Hi ! I simply loved your post . My english is very poor , but you said exactly how Im thinking , and I sure many other guides think as the same . Good luck and keep sharing ,its precious to all of us . A big hug from São Paulo

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Hello Juan,

Thank you very much!!

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Hello Marcelo,

You are very kind. Thank you.I agree: let’s keep sharing our communities to the world. Good luck for you too. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in California! Hugs…oh, and your English is great!

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Hello @ Eberle_Moreira , you just said the truth. Rampant among businesses to display nice pictures of their menus and interiors on the internet and with a lot of orchestrated appraisal. For this reason Google local guide exist to give honest and accurate review of what a business look like, how tasty is the menu, how clean is the place. and does it has good quality furnishing.These are the questions which answers inform ones decision. You have done a really good job by focusing on writing truthful reviews of places you visited and thanks for sharing your story.

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Hi @Eberle_Moreira thank you for sharing this post with us, I am sure others are learning from it, other businesses take things seriously in such a way that there is no review left without being responded to, this makes it easy to address and make a follow up on all the complaints customers have.

Normally only big businesses does this, the small business do not focus on this but I am hopping to see them doing the same, since this is important for the business to improve and help correct the small mistakes they make. Cheers!

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Hello,

Thank you so much. This feedback from Local Guiders is really important to me. It helps me to keep on the right track! A big hug from Brazil.