Ever since Google invited me to become a Local Guide I cannot remember a trip or a holiday or discovering a new place in my neighborhood that didn’t get me started taking photos and posting a review. Many times my family asks me why am I so obsessed with it. And the natural answer that I have is that I love to share!
I feel part of the community, I feel I am giving something little back to the global pool of information and knowledge that is the internet today.
I also love going something that has an impact. I am not into social media and influencing and practically my only contribution is as a Local Guide. It feels absolutely great when I see local businesses that I have put on the map thrive. It makes me feel very appreciated when one of my reviews gets flagged as useful and when people see my photos even though I am not a professional. I get more satisfaction putting places on the map and writing reviews about them that noone else thinks of doing. The local tyre shop is not as fancy as the new restaurant and certainly not as picture worthy but if you have a flat tyre its helpful to know that it is open 24 by 7 and has a friendly crew.
In my reviews and contributions I try to capture the spirit of closeness of talking to my family and friends about a place I 've been. The word of mouth has a different meaning through Google Local Guides. It is a platform where I can put down the same advice I would give to my friends in the same tone I would give it, as if the whole community of Google Maps is in front of me.
And this is what makes being a Local Guide so important to me!