For me, it was an amazing start. I did not notice the function of Google maps with reviews until it popped up on my notification column, I was sure it must be a trap for me indulging in using it since my 24th birthday in 2017. At the time, I was enjoying my short trip to Sun Moon Lake, which is the biggest lake in Central Taiwan. I chose one newly open hotel named Sun Moon Inn to have one-day stay. The environment, the interior of the room, and even breakfast were so nice! As I mentioned, Google maps showed up in time and asked if I would like to recommend or leave a comment about the hotel. “Why not?” the idea came up my mind right away, hence, I uploaded what I snapshot onto Google maps and then did not care about it after. it may be probably three days after, Google sent me an email saying those pictures reach hundreds of hit rates, which shocked me completely. Why? Because I realized Google made me influential on the platform and only one simple post can affect others’ decision or choices.
What I love sharing most on Google Maps is tourist attractions I have been to. With the advanced invention of Photoshop (PS in abbreviation), photos could be adjusted, touched up or even add one more person who was not at the place at the time onto the original photos, pretending he was there. Making little adjustment on photos or making oneself less wrinkle on pictures is fine, but nowadays, it goes too far, causing a serious problem on Facebook and Instagram just to make so-called tourist spots appealing and charming to pay a visit. I, as well, was falling into the trap which photographers set and was disappointed about those places. It was not as splendid, spacious, clean as it was shown in the photo. Therefore, I made up my mind to display what the truth behind the photo is. I hope there will be no one like me who drove far away but gain no good experience back. This is the main reason why I consistently to update and leave pieces of objective comment on Google Maps. Good places should be shown publicly and attract travelers to visit, however, those places with no worth visiting should be reminded by travelers’ review as well.