What drives my contribution to Google Maps?

My first vacation far away from the Indian mainland was Andamans. This was in 2009 when smartphone and Google Maps penetration in Indian was in its nascent stage. The bitter experience we had there due to the lack of local knowledge and language (my native language is Tamil and Hindi was widely used there) made me look for solutions.

When I got hold of my first smartphone this thirst of mine was fulfilled. There was Google maps (definitely not accurate at that time) which had the vision that I was looking for. A tool that can do away with the fear associated with visiting unknown cities and changes the whole experience of exploring places. But this tool needed improvements and it can’t be done by Google alone. That’s when I realised how important it is for me as a Google Maps user to contribute in whatever possible way to make it more productive to society.

I focus primarily on contributing photos that will give a wider perspective for the user about any place that they are looking for. Also, I try to write reviews for the places that needed special mention. I primarily contribute things about my city that I would expect to know when I visit a new one.

5 Likes

Hi @kavinparithivel

Nice to know that you have been associated with Google Maps for the last 10 years. But I am curious to know why you have still not achieved the highest level 10? Did you take some break in between due to your studies or some other thing which discontinued your contribution to a great extent?

1 Like

Hi @Garg_Saab ,

Glad to meet you here pal. Actually my Andaman trip was in 2009 (If my memory is correct it was during my class 10 vacation and i was using my father’s mobile) and joined Google Maps local connect program in my current id much later when I got hold of my own smartphone.

PS - The first few years of my contribution to Google maps were in my father’s Id.

Hope your curiousity is sated,

Regards,

Kavin Parithivel.