Why was I removed from the Local Guides programme?

Local Guides share photos, reviews, and info that helps millions of people around the world. To make sure that others can find what they’re looking for on Google Maps, we often check that contributions are helpful, accurate, and appropriate.

When we notice a Local Guide who seems to have violated our policies, we remove that person from the program. If you don’t see a Local Guides badge on your profile and can’t log in to post here on Connect, that’s likely what happened.

Think you’ve been removed? You might have violated one of these policies:

The vast majority of Local Guides contributions are within the rules. If you’re unsure whether or not something is allowed, be sure to check beforehand. However, you should be aware that any account can be banned for violating any of these policies, whether the Local Guide was aware of the policy or not. Also, our policies change from time to time, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the rules.

Usually, we can’t let you know if you’ve violated a policy before you’re banned. However, we’ll try our best to get in touch if you’re a very active contributor on Connect. If you’ve already been banned, we can’t provide details about why you were removed from the program in most cases.

What to do if you think you’ve been wrongfully removed

If you think you may have been wrongfully removed from the program and your account hasn’t been reinstated for more than 10 days, don’t create a new account to post on Connect. (That’s against our program rules, too.)

Instead, fill out the Appeal form, letting us know you’ve been removed. Be sure to provide us with your Google Maps profile URL so we can look into it. It can take up to three weeks to investigate banned accounts, so please be patient. Our team will reach out privately as soon as we have an update.

We appreciate your understanding and for helping everyone navigate the world on Google Maps.

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Many thanks @AriMar for sharing with us. It is very important for local guides to read it carefully and try not to be in this situation. Hopefully, no one violate the things mentioned in this post. Thanks again.

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Hi @AriMar thanks for sharing the important guidelines with us.

I hope no more violation in future as many accounts already suspended because it’s our right to share correct information on Maps.

Be Real

Be faithful

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Absolutely very useful tips… thanks

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Hi everyone.

Many thanks for share. Happy for “…the vast majority of Local Guides contributions are within the rules…”

Best regards.

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Yes it’s right. And I happily support this point. And It was especially needed.

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Valuable post

Remember to every local guides.

Thanks

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Thank you very much for your detailed message. It will be very helpful for all

LG’s.

With Regards,

Ramamoorthy Karuppaiah.

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Very helpful information for us @AriMar

I have seen many local guides having this problem

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Hi @AriMar

This is very useful information and for understanding the rules and policies of google.map thanks for sharing with us

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Very helpful and informative, thank you!

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  1. I admit that I have violated a rule of Posting duplicate photos. Not realizing that it was me instead of thinking it was a glitch. I didn’t purposely duplicate, but I should of acted quickly to remove the duplicates. I didn’t think until after some GLG peers advised me if the duplicates that it appeared as if I did so purposely in order to get more points. This was not the case. I appreciate those peers advising me. Although I (thankfully) have not been suspended or dropped from the program, I am actively in process of removing the duplicates. It takes awhile to do this as for each photo removed on Google Maps, I have to go back to the beginning of my Postings. It would be an easier process to remove them if I didn’t have to go back to the beginning of my Postings. Thank you very much for this article., Daniel K. Rausch, Google Local Guide 7 Stockton, CA. US
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yes correct information important

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Really glad this actually came up because I want to design new business cards and I was wondering just how much I am permitted to use in regards to my google associations. This program and Google in general is very dear to my heart and quite this program (and my cat) saved me in a lot of ways after my recent breakup. So I want to promote and do all I can to rep my Google pride and promote my maps page and our website that highlights lots of Philly spots with the helps of Google features and programs…I just want to make sure I am doing everything right. No Google logo, check. What about wording? What can we say and what can we not say on business cards or anything like that? I hope to grow with all of you and with this incredible program. Truly…Google helped to save my life and I just wish to give back as much of those blessings as I can every day. Thank you Google and thank you to all the incredible guides that make this beautiful machine move. Now you’ve got me all emotional…just feeling so blessed. Thank you…more than you could know.

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@DanielKRausch , much respect for your transparency and honesty. We are but human and mistakes do happen. Its only the ones we choose to recognize and admit to ourselves and others fearlessly that truly mold and grow us into our full potential.

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Good to have this updated post here in Connect. From now we can use this as a reference. Good to hear this “However, we’ll try our best to get in touch if you’re a very active contributor on Connect.”. :slight_smile:

Thank you @AriMar

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It’s good to know.:+1:Thanks for this information.

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Is there any chance to get back a removed local guides account which was involved against the role of local guides in past? If he/she gives promise that he/she will maintain the roles in future, will he/she get back his/her account?

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Thank you for this post @AriMar , it is helpful indeed.

I hope nobody violates any of the mentioned policies. Strict adherence on my part.

Regards,

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@AriMar thanks for your Valuable post which can help to us as a local guide .we can follow rules and regulation as a local guide for Avoid banned from our lovely community.

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