Share your best tips for other Local Guides in the New Year here

[alvinexplore]

exploring is fun. if u have money 😞

[sunnys]

I always try to update and post as accurate information as possible. I always think about google and the ways how to participate in google activities. Local guides is the best way to be a part of google indirectly though. Love the concept and thanks for making maps more useful as it directly helps us to find our ways.

[KyleW]

Keep it simple! Don't be put off, or intimidated by others comments. If it's been said, so what, say it again! Think "what would I want to know". Explorers love to talk about what they've found, we all love to read those stories! Photos in different seasons, conditions, etc. Even simple tips like "it gets V muddy here when it rains" may sound obvious but are V informative! Or tips on parking! Never assume! Have fun! Explore those hidden places! Nice to be the first post somewhere!

[MrFantastic]

Being a guide has opened many great adventures. But the greatest proof in any location would be the pictures that you take and the life within the review that you write.  

Tip 1: when taking photos of food, using natural light is best but the flash will better bring out the colours and moistness of dishes.  Presentation is key and sometimes places don't really specialise in it, so don't be afraid to make a dish presentable by rearranging the food to make it more presentable.  One can't deny that if it looks good then it probably is!

Tip 2: Open conversations with bartenders or store owners to confirm information about their establishment on Google maps. At times, hours can be wrong as well as categories.  Nothing like going to a restaurant for Italian cuisine and they actually serve Mediterranean dishes!

Plus this allows you to meet the business owners and further gain love for your city.

Tip 3:  Don't be afraid to try something completely bat crazy! Some of my greatest experiences have been while doing something outside of my comfort zone.  But your openness will give insight to the rest of the world. 

Tip 4: Write the review to give insight not to express anger.  

Tip 5: Enjoy the adventure.  When people read your reviews, they most likely look for other places that you have visited.  I have allot of people that find joy in visiting places that I've visited based on pictures that I've taken and reviews that I've made. 

This is a great opportunity guys. So enjoy it!  I love my city but I've had the chance to see it differently through local guides.

[RussellL]

Well I can say that most of the places I visited, a good percentages of them comes from these guides so, by that being said, I can tell you it nice to know that you are helping a lot of people by posting photos and reviews about your visit to these places...

[MajidH]

I am new here, I.mostly add the places with proof like photos an other information....

I am expat in cambodia but when I add some thing of my home town I can not add, it even not showing any thing about home town, some.feel sad about nothing contribute from my home.town.

Thanks

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@BellaW wrote:

As Local Guides, you’re the explorers who share daily discoveries on Google Maps, from reviewing great lunch picks to photographing lesser known parks and other beautiful finds near you. While connected by a mission to make it easier (and tastier!) to navigate the world, each of you contributes in your own way. To celebrate all these efforts and kick off 2017, we’re compiling a list of your best tips from the past year.

On this post, share your insights into:

• Taking great photos
• Writing helpful, detailed reviews
• Adding hidden or great new places
• Answering questions
• Tracking down missing and incorrect information (editing a place)

Feel free to add anecdotes and inspiring stories about any of your favorite local finds and give kudos to anything added here that you find helpful

p.s. Check out our in-house photo expert @AnnaDickson’s tips on how to upload great photos to Google Maps.

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[Tuca]

 Keep your reviews consistent and relevant. Apples to Apples.  Judge a place for what it is and not what you assumed it was going to be.  For example a Google user rated a little local place I love a 3.  She loved the food and the service but thought it wasn't "fancy" enough.  This place isn't fancy and it doesn't try to be.

If I go to McDonald's it can receive a 1-5 because I'm comparing it to other McDonald's and not Ruth's Chris.

Maybe allow level 3 and up to downvote irrelevant reviews into oblivion was it reaches a certain threshold.

[FannosGTYG]

Hi, I enjoy to help another's , and to help Google , with the maps editing , and I will wishe  just good to very ones , 

[Marek PG]

I try to post photos that are "saying" something. If I cannot identify a clear meaning  in a photo, I discard it. In many cases, what my photos posted to Google Maps are saying just how a place looks, and how to find it.  I also like to post photos conveying how a place "feels" not merely  how it looks. Such photos are subjective, but I think they can be informative and can help map users form an "idea of a  place."

Here are two examples, taken during while walking to work. Same place, different feeling. 

[RussellL]

Well maybe there's different rules about posting things in Cambodia, you should try contacting Google and find out why, sorry I can't be more helpful..