I’m experiencing a problem with my Trailblazer badge progress and would like to know if anyone else has encountered the same issue.
I had already completed 2 out of the 3 requirements for the Trailblazer badge. However, when I started posting first reviews for places that had no previous reviews from other users, I noticed that my Trailblazer counter decreased instead of increasing.
This happened repeatedly as I added more first reviews to new places. My progress has now dropped to just 3, even though I have continued contributing qualifying reviews.
I understand that some reviews may not count if they are hidden or don’t meet Google’s policies. However, the counter seems to decrease immediately after I publish a first review, which makes me suspect that there may be a bug with the Trailblazer badge counter.
Could a Google moderator or an experienced Local Guide help clarify the following?
1. Why does the first-review counter decrease after publishing first reviews?
2. Is this a known issue with the Trailblazer badge?
3. Is there any way to check whether my previously counted reviews have stopped qualifying or whether the counter is displaying incorrect progress?
I’d appreciate any advice or clarification. I have spent time contributing to new places and would be disappointed if my progress were lost because of a counter issue.
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There has been an issue with trailblazer count issue last month. Me & several local guides faced that issue & I think it has resolved. Keep your app updated & i believe your count might be in correct number after some days.
Decrease means that review you wrote doesn’t count?
Thank you for offering to check this. My Trailblazer badge previously showed Expert, but it later reverted to Novice despite my continued contributions. Unfortunately, I didn’t save a screenshot of the Expert status. I can provide screenshots of my current badge and statistics, though. I keep my profile restricted for privacy reasons, so would these screenshots be sufficient for you to look into the issue?
As you’re one who practices this @GemRuan, would you be able to explain why a small sub-set of Local Guides choose to keep their profile private? I handle privacy by refraining from using my full name, and never using my photo.
For me, privacy goes beyond hiding my full name or personal photo. I also prefer to limit how much of my activity is publicly visible, and I’m mindful of the privacy of strangers who appear in the photos I share on Maps.
I’ve come across quite a few high-level Local Guides who keep their profiles private, too. I don’t see a need to question their choices, because everyone has their own reasons and boundaries when it comes to privacy. The way one person chooses to handle privacy doesn’t have to work for everyone.
When I faced this problem, I started taking screenshots every time because the numbers kept fluctuating.
Here’s a little tip: check whether the places you’ve added are visible from a friend’s profile—both your recent and older contributions. This way, you can figure out whether the issue is specific to the Trailblazer badge, or if Google Maps isn’t showing your contributions at all and therefore isn’t counting them.
Thanks for sharing the link and suggestions, Khatira! My experience does seem similar.
My Trailblazer badge previously showed Expert at 11/10. After I posted 5–6 more reviews, the counter dropped to 6/10 in real time. A few days later, I added 3 more reviews, and it dropped again to 3/10.
I’ve checked from another account, and my new reviews and photos are still publicly visible on the place pages. Some of my reviews are also the first ones posted for those places. My Reviewers badge has reached Expert as well, and my Google Maps app is already up to date, yet the Trailblazer counter keeps dropping.
I’ll keep taking screenshots to track any changes. Thanks again for sharing your experience and the related thread!
That is such a strange bug, but I’m really glad to hear that your reviews and photos are publicly visible! That’s the most important part.
I really hope your Trailblazer badge returns to normal soon, just like mine did—I also had that weird countdown issue and simply had to wait a bit for the system to resolve itself.
Thanks so much, Khatira! It’s reassuring to hear that yours eventually resolved itself. I was so happy when I finally reached Expert for Trailblazer, and then the counter started going backwards Now it’s back to Novice, even though I was working toward Master XD I’ve already reached Expert or Master on all my other badges, so Trailblazer is being a little rebellious. Hopefully it’ll sort itself out soon too!
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. I went through most of my post reviews and checked to make sure that they were viable. At the end of the game it ended up being Google’s fault. About two weeks after I posted this I went from 36 out of 50 reviews up to 130 out of 50 without changing anything on my end. Google finally caught up and corrected the glitch that they had in their system. All my other badges had major increases. I now have my level 10 and all of my master badges are full. Again thanks to those that gave suggestions.
Hopefully it’ll sort itself out soon too!