I applied to both 2017 and 2018, and I noticed a lot of great improvements in the 2018 application. Most were very subtle, like the note that said something like, "Just because your view count didn't go up doesn't mean that we didn't watch your video application." And as a side note on that topic, I remember about 5 different Connect posts last year that said "hey! are they reviewing my application! I've been watching my view count on my video every day." That wasn't the only thing. I noticed a lot of other great improvements to make 2018 a lot smoother than 2017.
Other cool improvements...the countdown, the web site changing after you submitted your application, the emails all going out a week later confirming you applied, letting people know you'll let them know yes or no, adding the option for US people, "I have a US passport," and many other improvements.
So, awesome job everyone on the team with improving the application process! I also think it's really cool that you opened it up to Level 5 and above, because I think this year's level 5 was about the equivalent of last year's Level 3, and last year you had to be Level 4, if I remember right. It seems that lots of people are getting excited about Connect and Google Maps, and I think that this application process helps people get really excited for Google Maps.
2022
