The Local Guide Program help me to identify that I can help many people who dependent on the google maps on a daily basis, who use the maps to help plan vacations and help businesses by leaving a feedback on the service provided.
This is my story where it all began for me as a local guide, identifying the Local Guide Program and my very first contribution to the program.
In May 2017 I was in Georgia with my wife and son for vacation, which I planned and created our itinerary by using Google Maps and did not intend on using a local guide to show us around. At the time I was unaware that there was a Local Guide Program which allowed people to contribute to improve their Maps.
I had marked Dadiani Palace Museum as a point of interest that we will visit during our stay. I had planned to visit this Museum around 2:30 to 3:00 PM since in the map it was marked that the place would close by 4:00 PM. Our schedule was delayed and the map was showing an expected time of arrival as 4:30 PM; we agreed that we will see the outside of the palace and if we had free time in our schedule we would revisit. To our surprise the museum was opened till 6:00 PM, which made me realize that the map did not have correct information.
After enjoying the museum on our way out I took a picture on my phone when the maps suggested me to upload the picture to google maps to help others and also I saw an option that said “Suggest an edit”. I suggested the operating hours to be edited and uploaded the picture that I took. I received an email to say that my edit is being reviewed and will let me know when the changes are published.
Later I received another email to say that they have published the changes that I made, which made me feel empowered that I have a way to contribute and that Google is willing to publish my changes. Also, receiving emails which says that there are people viewing my pictures made me happy and wanted me to contribute more.
However I have got scolded from my wife for spending extra time to get a picture with a better view of a location, checking the operating hours of a place or for even things such as wanting to get a picture of a room that we check in before we unpack our things to the room. Also, for keep uploading pictures to Google Maps when we are on our vacation.
I am currently a Local Guide Level 7 and have no plans of stopping contributions anytime soon. I have shared the very first picture that I uploaded now which has over 5,200 views along with some pictures from our vacation as a tribute to all the local guides who posted pictures of these amazing places to Google Maps and help me to plan and enjoy an amazing holiday.
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