Hello,
I do not remember how I became a Local Guide, if I submitted a request or if I was selected by algorithm! Either way, it doesn’t matter. Today I am a level 5+ Local Guide from Morocco and I am proud of it!
Most of my written contributions on Google Maps were given to add detailed insights about places that had no reviews, conflicting, or overly generous ones. As a matter of fact, I mostly give my written reviews or edits to places where I see that my contributions will make a real impact. In fact, I’d like to think that normal people see my profile -with the badge next to it- as a reviewer they can trust. In a word, consider me a curator.
As to the why, the edits, pictures, videos, question answers & reviews I shared are viewed tens of thousands of times a year if not more. That’s right there is a huge impact! People relied on my inputs to make their travel or experience much better! It is something that puts a smile on my face whenever I receive the statistics on my email!
I am waiting for the time I’d be able to publicly share my Google Trips in a convenient way, I’d be then the perfect Local Guide 
Said