I have been using Google maps since quite some years. I have even used in very remote areas like the road from katra airport to chandigarh and many other places in Maharashtra. Used to find places in Singapore almost 6 years back. My family depends on me entirely if we travel to a new place anywhere in my city Mumbai or in India.
Now comes the part where I started posting reviews and uploading pics on GMaps. I would read reviews very often of the restaurants i would want to visit and this gave me a thought of — why not i too give my 2 cents on this platform. Writing a review and uploading pics helps everyone in having a good idea what to expect of the place they r planning to visit and what will the food look like. I do upload the menu pics also as most people would prefer to get an idea how much the food costs and if the place suits them pocket wise. The same way as visitors / guests benefit by reading the reviews, the business owners of the shops / restaurants benefit by improving their food or services and even gain more customers of there r many positive reviews. So basically, everyone gains from being a local guide.
It feels so good that so many people r guides and r helping each other with no personal benefit. As being a local guide needs you to be alert, have a presence of mind which pics would be helpful, what things can help the reader to get a good idea of the place. Same for the business owners get an idea if their business needs improvement. Many business owners respond to these reviews too. And they work on making the customers happy to get more footfall.
Now I am so keen of going to new eating places and the first thing comes in my mind is which pics of interiors will look good or be helpful in posting. When i eat, i eat with an interest in the taste and not like before just eat and move out. :-)) As i have to give an honest review on GMaps. Same with malls and other places of interest.
Also about editing a place, i do a hell lot of searching on google. So i happen to find many offices or corporate placed at the wrong place on maps. So i do edit a lot. Same for name of companies too.
All i can say is that the local guides platform has really made me look around me a lot more than before. I would really like to connect to the other local guides and know how they too contribute to this program and how we all can make it better in the coming future.
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Hi @Gfanjc ,
Welcome to Connect and thanks for sharing!
Your post is now available on Connect. I would like to apologize for your post being marked as spam. Our filters run 24/7 and they can be a little harsh at times.
You can visit this article to learn more - Why was my Connect post marked as spam?
As the post would appear to be regarding application for Connect Live 2020, you can check out this year’s applications guidelines here and find some useful tips for creating an application post here.
Hi @sonnyNg
Can u please help me with the reason of my post being marked as spam… 
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Hi @Gfanjc ,
I understand your concerns, as to the reason of the spam filter to react in such way may vary quite may reasons.
It may happen from too often editing the post or adding external links, however in some unusual situation such as the current one, please do not hesitate to let a moderator know. : ]
Hi @sonnyNg
Sorry, I am not clear what you have replied.
But what am i supposed to do now? I am trying to apply for Connect 2020, so posted my thoughts. Do i need to post a different post again? Please guide me.
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Hi @Gfanjc ,
Thanks for making sure on that matter! : ]
Currently no action would be required from you at the moment, as in case one (or more) of your post(s) would be caught up by the Spam filter, do feel free to let one of Moderators know.