My experience with Google Maps started because I am not much of a social person and I am spending a lot of time in front of my computer. It’s in my nature that if I can read about something online and especially in Google Maps, I’d rather do it instead of asking a local guy about it.
No doubt, I would always wish I had more communication with real people. Though, we have to confess that nowadays you can find more adequate information online, including in Google Maps, then you could get from someone you randomly meet. That’s why I believe in sharing online and I share a lot of photos, comments and ratings.
I firmly believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why I am sharing mostly photos. I also believe that an honest, truthful rating of places and services can be based only on a large number of contributors. When you see that a thousand people have rated something highly, they can’t be all wrong and the place is worth visiting. That’s why I rate as frequently as possible.
With the help of Google I believe that I am making the world a better place and stimulate people to do better business. When I’ve received a good service or been at a nice place, I am more than glad to share it with others so that it is appreciated and enjoyed by more people. On the contrary, I’d rate poorly a place, so that it can be avoided by others at least until the owner realises her / his mistake.
I do believe that sharing in Google Maps is the way to create a more true world with places that have not paid to be praised. This gives us the ultimate freedom to choose where we go and what we do.