From reluctant participant to #1 video contributor - the story behind over 200 million views
What started as casual photo contributions has evolved into something I never expected - becoming the #1 video contributor on Google Maps with over 209 million views (according to wonderful @AdamGT and his top 100). More surprisingly? I used to actively argue against video usage on the platform.
If you’re reading this thinking “great, another tech evangelist pushing the latest trend,” let me stop you right there. This isn’t a story about embracing technology for its own sake. It’s about recognizing when the landscape has fundamentally shifted and adapting your strategy accordingly - even when that shift makes you uncomfortable.
The Numbers That Changed Everything
As of July 2025, I hold the #1 position on the Local Guides Top 100 Video Views leaderboard with 209m views (Significantly higher to other great Local Guide contributors).
I should have been thrilled, but not wanting to become in few years the @Herve_Andrieu of video contributions, I want others to learn how to increase their video contributions and map impact (and why).
Here’s what makes this interesting: My results came not from expensive equipment or film school techniques, but from recognizing patterns and working systematically within Google’s evolving framework.
The Local Guides community spans over 100 countries, with contributors ranging from casual weekend photographers to dedicated community champions.
The video leaderboard has become a fascinating window into how different approaches to visual storytelling perform at scale.
Why Videos Matter More Than Ever
Google Maps has fundamentally transformed from a navigation tool into a discovery platform. When someone searches for “cozy coffee shops” or “authentic Thai restaurants,” they’re not just looking for directions - they’re trying to understand atmosphere, authenticity, and experience. Static photos, no matter how well-composed, simply can’t convey the energy of a bustling market or the ambiance of a quiet bookshop.
Consider this: I read that Google Maps published over 750 million photos and videos in 2024 alone, with over 2 billion monthly users relying on this visual content to make decisions. Videos consistently receive higher engagement, better algorithmic placement, and more user interaction than static images. This isn’t just a trend - it’s the new foundation of how people discover and evaluate places.
My Evolution: From “Video Killed the Photo Views Stars” to Video Champion
Back in 2023, I wrote extensively about my concerns with Google’s push toward video content. My posts “Video Killed the Photo Views Stars” and “Videos Vanquished the Victorious Photos” weren’t celebrations - they were warnings about what I saw as problematic changes to the platform.
I worried about data consumption, environmental impact, and the democratization of contribution. Why should someone need video production skills to share information about their local coffee shop? Weren’t we creating barriers that would exclude casual contributors?
But as I tracked the algorithmic changes over months, a pattern emerged that I couldn’t ignore. Videos weren’t just getting slightly better placement - they were dominating search results, featured placement, and user engagement. The platform was making a choice, with or without community input.
The Moment Everything Clicked
The turning point came when I realized I was fighting the wrong battle. Instead of asking “should Google prioritize videos?” I needed to ask “how can I work effectively within this new reality?”
That shift in perspective led me to discover motion photo techniques using standard Android features - simple, scalable methods that allowed me to create hundreds of videos without massive time investment or technical expertise. Suddenly, video contribution became accessible rather than burdensome.
What This Series Will Cover
Over the next several posts, I’ll share the journey from video skeptic to global leader, including the specific discoveries, mindset shifts, and practical breakthroughs that made this transformation possible.
Each post will reveal different aspects of this evolution - from the initial resistance and valid concerns, through the moment of strategic pivot, to the development of scalable techniques that work with basic equipment and respect real-world constraints.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m not writing this to convince you that videos are inherently better than photos, or that Google’s algorithmic choices are perfect. I’m sharing because I discovered that adaptation can be more powerful than resistance when the fundamental rules of engagement have changed.
The approach I’ll describe works with basic Android phones, requires minimal technical skill, and addresses both time constraints and data consumption concerns. Most importantly, it’s designed for real Local Guides with real limitations who want to maximize their community impact.
Those 209 million views represent real people making real decisions about where to eat, shop, and explore. Every video that helps someone discover a hidden gem or avoid a disappointment justifies the effort involved.
The Bigger Picture
Google Maps has become the primary discovery mechanism for local businesses worldwide. As Local Guides, we’re not just contributing content - we’re shaping how people experience their communities. Video contributions, when done thoughtfully, provide richer, more helpful information that benefits both users and local businesses.
The choice isn’t whether to embrace video or resist it. The choice is whether to participate effectively in the platform as it exists, or watch our contributions become less visible and impactful over time.
In the next post, I’ll reveal the first major breakthrough that changed everything - a discovery hiding in plain sight on every mobile device that most Local Guides completely overlook.
I hope I am not barking up the wrong tree, feel free to comment and let me know why you are not a video contributor fan (just yet).
Ready to transform your Local Guide impact? The journey begins with questioning everything you think you know about video creation.