What I really love about Google Maps is giving back to small businesses that I really appreciate by supporting them online with detailed reviews and photos from their business. The actual act of writing and leaving a review which might help people find a business worth supporting - that’s one of my driving motivators. As a small business owner myself, I know the value of recommendations and how they can make or break a small business. In particular, with the narrow margins of the food and hospitality business – or any business with a storefront – there’s a lot that rides on happy customers and those customers telling others. I’m always amazed at the reach Google Maps represents. Being active on the platform to support businesses of all sizes means that I am supporting people like me. And if I can do that by also being helpful to travelers and visitors who want to experience a place like a local then at the end of the day I am doing something really good for a lot of people. It might not be changing the world but it is a small thing that can change someone’s world and that makes life worth living.