Why Google Maps is my most used app (yup, even more than Instagram)!

It gives you directions. It tells you how long it takes to get to work. It even tells you if there’s a speed camera ahead. But for me, Google Maps is so much more than an app that gets you from point A to point B. It adds to the community, and it connects people.

I’ve always had a strong desire to help others, and found that people frequently looked to me for recommendations. I also became one of those people that’s always taking pictures of food…but with no real purpose. As a Google Local Guide - I get to be an influ__encer, blogger, photographer, travel expert, advocate, and connector all in one place. It’s become a platform for me to do the things I love, be a voice, contribute, and share in a meaningful way.

I love sharing all things food. What Local Guide doesn’t, am I right? I want others to light up, have their eyes roll back, and feel that endorphin high (the way I do) when they take a bite of something truly remarkable. So, even if I’m one in 60 million, and I only m__ake a difference in just one person’s food experience; I have done my part, and contributed in a small way.

I’m passionate about using Google Maps, and also love sharing the ways I make it the hub for all things travel, food, and planning. So, here are my tips on how to make it your most used app too!

  • Lists - This is how I get to be a travel expert. I share the places I’ve been, and make recommendations. I used to create spreadsheets for places I’ve been, why it’s awesome, and with addresses! Now, I can easily organize and share my list, without worrying about directions (because, Google Maps).

  • Shared places - This is how my boyfriend (Ian Macdonald, Local Guide Level 8…almost 9) and I get to connect. We collaborate on lists of places that we want to try together (he also gets all the credit for me becoming a Local Guide). We build our lists, vote on places, and then plan the next date night (now, if only we can add more than 25 places)!

  • Events and For you - This is how I get to stay in the know. I can easily see events that are happening around me, read articles about the places I love, and add new places to my “want to go” list.

  • Your contributions - This is how I get to be an influencer, blogger, photographer, and advocate. I’ve been doing this for just over a year now - I have over 6.6M views on my photos, 3K photos posted, 329 reviews made, 118 videos posted, 43 replies from businesses, and 2 free cocktails acquired (from a restaurant that knew we were Local Guides)!

I hope this has inspired you to use Maps in more ways than getting from point A to point B. I’m so proud to be a Google Local Guide. I don’t “do it for the gram”, I do it for the reviews! I hope I see you all at Connect Live 2019!

Kelly Ngo

Google Local Guide

Calgary, Alberta, Canada


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Hi @KellyNgo

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For more information you can read: Why was my Connect post marked as spam?

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Thank you so much @ErmesT !!!