Have you ever imagined that small things you do can give big great impacts for others? For me, I did not. My perspective changed right after I found out about Google Local Guides. I started to realize that I can give a contribution to a community like Local Guides by starting with small things like adding photos to the places I ever visited on Google Map. I am a person who loves to discover new places such as restaurants, churches, or even tourism sites as part of my travelling journey. Moreover, I have lived in several different areas Indonesia and also a couple of months in Scottsdale, Arizona, the United States as an exchange student. Now I am becoming a Local Guide Level 7 who already added about 853 photos with more than 870,000 views and I am proud of what I am doing now.
Every time I go somewhere else, I always check the reviews and photos of the place on Google Maps so I can learn more about that place and try to find what kind of things that people need to know more about that place. Then, I use my phone to take photos from a different angle and add them on Google Maps with writing positive reviews as the additional information too. For me, adding photos is not only about what is the object but it is also about what is the story behind it, what memories I need to save so I can always remember for so many years, and what things that I can tell to inspire other people from my journey. That is the biggest reason why adding photos is the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide so far.
Here are some of my favorite photos and also the most viewed ones on Google Maps. Those photos have a lot of stories that I always remember and also give great impacts for others. I hope these photos can inspire you to share your photos that have memorable stories too.
This is one of the oldest churches which built-in 1912 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. I remember that when my friend invited me to go to this church, I searched on Google Maps for people’s reviews. I was surprised that the last review and photos that were added were in 2017. No new reviews and photos from 2018 - 2019. I found that there were not many young people going to this church. It’s full of senior people and most of them did not understand how to add photos on Google Maps. After that, I tried to talk to the Lead Pastor of this church and told him that I would like to take as many photos as I can to add on Google Maps so a lot of people out there can come and see what this church’s activities are. He agreed about it. After several times, all the photos that I added have been viewed more than 10,000 times! The Lead Pastor was also surprised when I told him that one of his photos with the church member got more than 65,000 views! It also gave great impacts to the church because, during the Winter, a lot of tourists came to this church after seeing the photos I added on Google Maps. I am happy that I could do a small right thing to help this church. And the most wonderful thing is I got a lot of new friends at this church who still stay connected with me until now.
Caption: A photo of the outside of FBCScottsdale sanctuary. A wonderful church with so many friendly people. So many beautiful stories that I have written at this church during my exchange program. (Local Guide Andrew)
Caption: A photo of Sunday Service activity of FBCScottsdale. The Lead Pastor happily greeted the church members. The photo has been viewed over 65,000 times! (Local Guide Andrew)
This is my favorite local coffee shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA! The friendly staff and also cool events made me feel so comfortable to be here. My favorite drink is the Chai Tea Latte and it’s so so good! This place is owned by FBCScottsdale. I also found out that the last reviews and photos people added here were about a year ago. I was so sad about it. So I finally decided to take a lot of photos and add them all on Google Maps so people can easily find this place and choose to have their coffees here. Moreover, one day I volunteered myself to be a photographer for one of the music events at this coffee shop. They invited Scott MacIntyre, who is an American Idol Season 8 finalist, to perform and tell his life story. It’s a wonderful moment! I took a lot of photos at the event at the time and the result is beyond my expectation! The photos I added have been viewed over 35,000 times only in a couple of days! The coordinator of the coffee shop also tells me that there are some new people stopping by and buying the coffees here after seeing the reviews and also the photos I added. Even until now, I am happy that I could give a positive contribution to help a local coffee shop like this. And of course, I miss my lovely Chai Tea Latte now!
Caption: A photo of First Friday Music Event at the Winfield’s Coffee Shop with a brilliant performance from Scott MacIntyre, an American Idol Season 8 finalist. (Local Guide Andrew)
If you are going to Bali, you should go to this local coffee shop. This is one of the best local coffee shops in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. I came here after looking at the Google Maps. The place was small, but it was so peaceful! I chose to have breakfast here and the foods were so yummy! Some of my friends from other countries who visit Ubud told me that they saw my reviews and photos of this place on Google Maps and they went there finally. It felt so great to hear that!
Caption: A photo of my breakfast menu from F.R.E.A.K Coffee. Affordable price, incredible taste! (Local Guide Andrew)
It was a new cafe and some of my friends said to me that we need to go to this cafe. It was a fantastic experience! The staff were so friendly and gave us a lot of great explanations why green tea is becoming the main flavor for the menu. As a green tea lover, I was so stoked with this cafe! Because it’s new, so I gave my reviews and added some photos of the menu. The result was unpredictable! First, one of my photos has been seen for about more than 1,000 times only in a couple of days after I added them on Google Maps. Second, the second time I came here, the staff told me that some new people came to the cafe after seeing my photos on Google Maps and they ordered the same menu as I ordered before! I am so glad for the great impact of a small thing I have done. I just can’t wait to go here again soon!
Caption: A photo of my first menu that I ordered at Matcha Cafe Bali and so many people love this one too! (Local Guide Andrew)
Now I always believe even if it’s just a small positive thing, there’s always great impact at the end either for yourself or others. I also believe there are so many people out there who can do what I do. No need to wait to be perfect to do a great thing, we can do that everywhere every time like adding photos on Google Maps. Take the moments now and share them to the world! All I can say is adding photos is the most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide! Thank you so much for making such a great community for this world, Google!