Where Does Your Next Post Belong? 🗺️

Google Maps tips & tricks
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Hello fellow Local Guides, :handshake:

Whether you are just starting your journey or you have been mapping for years, figuring out exactly where your new post belongs on the forum can sometimes be a little tricky. Even as we grow in our levels, it’s always good to have a thorough refresher on how to keep our community organized and ensure your hard work gets the right visibility.

To help everyone contribute effectively, here is a detailed breakdown of our four main categories and how to use our community tools to the fullest.

1. Connections & Celebrations :tada:

Think of this as our community watercooler. This is the primary space to engage with fellow guides globally, share your pride, and celebrate milestones together.

  • What to post: Did you just hit a new level? Are you participating in a global initiative like World Gratitude Day? Or maybe you want to share the success :trophy: and photos of a community challenge you initiated or the impressive number of views :eye: you gained for media you uploaded to Google Maps.
  • Keep in mind: This is all about the community spirit :sparkles:, cheering :clap:t2: each other on & building global friendships :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:.
  • Examples:
  1. Celebrate Earth Day with me by @Rahul001
  2. 15,000+ reactions & counting

2. Google Maps Contribution Stories :world_map:

This category is for the deeper, more immersive stories behind the actual updates you make on the map. It brings your reviews, photos & edits to life!

  • What to post: Did you discover an incredible hidden spot for Chole Bhature :curry_rice: in New Delhi? Or perhaps you recently stayed at a beautiful home stay in Kalpa and wrote a detailed review about the hospitality? This is where you share the context, the experience, and the “why” behind your map contributions.
  • Keep in mind: You should always include a direct, clickable link to your specific Google Maps contribution or review so others can see your work in action.
  • Example: A Local Guide’s View of Chitkul, Kinnaur

3. Google Maps Tips & Tricks :light_bulb:

This is our dedicated knowledge-sharing hub. If you have a specific skill that helps make the map better, teach it here so others can learn from your experience.

  • What to post: Are you sharing the process of drawing and editing missing roads :motorway:? Do you have great advice for taking well-lit storefront photos or tips on accurately mapping wheelchair accessibility :wheelchair_symbol:? Or maybe you are facing an issue with a pending edit and need help understanding why, or want to ask the community how to accurately map a complex intersection?
  • Keep in mind: If sharing tips, make them educational, detailed, and actionable. If asking questions or seeking help, provide as much detail (and screenshots!) as possible so others can effectively troubleshoot with you.
    Note: This current post is an example of the type of informative content that fits perfectly in this category.

4. Meet-ups :handshake:

The central directory for bringing Local Guides together in the real world.

  • What to post: If you are organizing an upcoming meetup - like a heritage walk through the Mehrauli ruins or a casual coffee photo-walk, announce it here. Once the meetup is over, this is also the exact place to post your recap, share your favorite moments & upload all the group photos.
  • Keep in mind: Always include clear dates, times, and specific locations so local peers can easily join you.

Essential Resources for Every Guide

To ensure we are all on the same page and using the forum effectively, please bookmark and review these three official guides:

  1. Read First - Connect Community Guidelines :star:: This is our "Code of Conduct”. It is essential reading for maintaining a friendly, safe & spam-free environment for everyone.
  2. What Are Connect Tags and How to Use Them? :hash:: Tags are the secret to categorization. Using the correct tags ensures your post reaches the right audience and helps others find your content later through search.
  3. How to Organize a Successful Meet-up :busts_in_silhouette:: If you are planning an event, this resource is your roadmap. It covers everything from logistics to creating an engaging recap that inspires others to host their own.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps clarify things for everyone! Happy mapping & I look forward to reading all your wonderful stories and contributions in the community.

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It’s an enlightening and informative post for every local guides who wish to post on connect. Thanks for sharing @Manishhh

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Great initiative @Manishhh . Your information provided in this post of yours is really very helpful in a positive manner. Thanks for sharing :folded_hands::+1:

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Am glad you found this post helpful @Ssiddharth2000

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Thank you @AbhijeetUniyal:slight_smile:

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Great topic, @Manishhh

I’m very happy to see your strong emphasis on the need for Google Maps Contribution Stories to be based on Maps Contributions.

This has the potential to make Connect more focussed, relevant and educational for everyone.

Reviews should be on Maps and here on Connect we share the story behind and discuss quality and challenges related to making contributions.

Under Google Maps tips & tricks I think adding asking questions and asking for help should also be mentioned.

Cheers

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Thanks for this informative post @Manishhh :slightly_smiling_face:

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Very meaningful and refreshing sharing @Manishhh.
I really appreciate how you even included an example of what should be shared ,this will honestly help many new IGs understand how to participate effectively in the Connect Forum.

Thank you for sharing your insights, they will be valuable for many people.
Looking forward to reading more from you.

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Great catch, Thank you @MortenCopenhagen , have made the changes and included this in the post:)

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i am glad you found the post informative @NunungAfuah:slight_smile:

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​Spot on! Tagging and categorization are key. I’ve also focused my 2024 contributions on making similar some helpful post on connect Thanks for highlighting this @Manishhh it validates the effort we put into structuring our content.

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Thank you @SonamW, thank you for inspiring me to write posts like these:)

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i cant agree more @shaileno, your post is spot on, hope my post will work as a refresher and help clear doubts regarding post category

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Really helpful breakdown! @Manishhh I like how clearly this explains each category, it makes it much easier to decide where a post fits instead of second-guessing. Especially useful for newer Local Guides who might feel a bit lost at first.

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Thank you @NareshDarji , delighted to see your feedback:)

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Excellent post @Manishhh, that clarifies the much-needed categories for both new and experienced local guides alike :+1:

The banner infographic is wonderful :+1:

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thank you @TusharSuradkar , am happy you liked the poster and the post, the inspiration to write this post came from LGs like you who are always ready to help the community

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@Manishhh . Nice informative post. Will help all to make meaningful contributions

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Thank you @curatorofmemory , glad to know you find the post useful:)

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Thank you, @Manishhh, for bringing clarity to the community. Your explanation makes the topic easier to understand, and the examples you have shared are especially helpful in putting things into perspective.