Local Guides Card

[#1]

My idea can be strange for some people. But I should write. I propose create Local Guides Card - like Press Card. Sometimes I have a big trouble when I want to take photos or videos for Google Maps. Of course, it depends of countries and cities. But in Ukraine (in Kyiv, capital of my country) I had many situations when it was prohibited to take photos. The store security wanted to call police. I would like to emphasize - it's no tipical situations. Ukrainian laws are very specific. I don't know about situation in others countries. Ukrainian Constitution says: people can collect all information. But law about information says: people can collect just some information. And security can prohibit to take photos and shoot videos.

Of course every time I explain who are Local Guides. I tell about program.

I propose to create Local Guides Card for 8-10 levels.

[JedR]

Most of the business owners are not aware the impact of Local Guides. Some of them are wondering why customers are taking photos of their place and products. Maybe they're not aware about Local Guides. 

If Google can create a video that can educate business owners then it will be more easier for us (Local Guides) to contribute. You can tell them the benefits of having photos, reviews and recommendations from Local Guides. 

[kmichaelcook]

@JedR  

If Google made the best YouTube video ever made, at a cost of $18 million with Spielberg directing, and it flawlessly explained everything you're wishing business owners knew/realized, and did so in a hilarious, entertaining, compelling, can't-look-away fashion, those business owners would still never in ten billion years actually go find and watch it. 

Entrepreneurs, SMBs with tight staffs - I've worked with them a ton on consulting projects, or for them as an employee at various points in my career, and the list of videos/articles/content that perfectly crystallizes their problem, then solves it, at any given time is lengthy. They're usually not preternaturally gifted searchers or search engine optimization technicians (ha; every engineer reading this just rolled their eyes at 'technicians,' I bet), and if they've ever gone looking/searching for the answer, and weren't able to find it, they've often written it off or put it indefinitely on the back burner.

I think the solution is a bit more prosaic - if I'm out Google Local Guidesing, as I am wont to do, I always try to explain to people not just why I'm photographing their places and things, but what it all means (basil), and how it fits into the greater ecosystem of search and business. I was a teacher/tutor for The Princeton Review for a number of years, so I never miss an opportunity to be pedantic and lecturing for minutes at a time. But once it's explained, even in generally, it seems to stick with business owners, and then they get it. 

Go out and make Local Guides of all the nations! Evangelize - it's been a radically effective technique for many organizations, some of them quite terrible, so why not Local Guidesing? 

(It's also important to evangelize/educate proactively, I think, because often, some Local Guide or another has misrepresented the program/their importance within it in order to manipulate the business owner into giving them something or doing something for them, fwiw)

[AngieYC]

Hello @SumitRajapure,

This has been suggested before here - Local Guides Card. The topic already has an answer.

I will merge your idea there.

[smaali]

why not make an official Google identity card for local guides with the logo google first and last name finally the national number country id card  around the world who can present it if necessary me personally I had a problem when I go add a place and take pictures

[StephenAbraham]

@smaali in the mean time, the best option is to open Google Maps app, and show them Your Contributions page. Because this is a live page from Google's server, which means it's guaranteed to be authentic and cannot be tampered with like and physical card. That should give a better assurance to settle a doubt.

[AngieYC]

Hello @smaali,

Similar idea has been suggested before here - Local Guides Card. The topic already has an answer.

I will merge your idea there.

[AZZART]

 اولا الفكرة الاولى   / 

اولا ان تمنح لهم بطاقات تعريبفية من جوجل بانهم مرشدين محليين ..وتكون بدرجات 

بطاقة تعريف لون ابيض  للمبتدئ 

والازرق للمتوسط واللون القرمزي  للمحترف 

ويكون محفور عليها كلمة جوجل بالانجليزية واسم المرشد وصورته 

 لماذا لا يكون هناك مكافأة للمرشدين المحليين  

 الفكرة الثانية  /  ان تضاف لهم نقاط وممكن ان يحصلوا مقابلها على مبلغ ما ..يساعدهم في تنقلاتهم. 

كل نقطة يقابلها $1يحصل المرشد المحلي على مقابل النقاط هذه مبلغ يودع في حسابه البنكي 

ممكن ان يكون عائد.سنوي او تحسب كمكافاة لنشاطه .وكلما اضاف معلومات دقيقة ومفيدة ملحقة بصور تزداد نقاطه .

مارايكم بهذه الفكرة لتعم المتعة بالفائدة على كل الاطراف .

بهذه الفكرة ..

[AngieYC]

Hello @Sciflier,

Similar idea has been suggested before here - Local Guides Card. The topic already has an answer.

I will merge your idea there.

[etpage]

I often know the businesses I'm updating, so I actually suggest the owners take control of their listing and monitor its accuracy regularly.  Most appreciate this information.

[AngieYC]

Hello @AZZART,

Please excuse my answer in English. 

Thank you for sharing your idea, similar idea about identification card had been suggested before and I am merging your post here - Local Guides Card.

Local Guides are not paid nor may Local Guides earn money for their contributions, according to our program rules.

The Local Guides program is for individuals who contribute to Google Maps who like to help others to discover and explore their world. Local Guides receive benefits depending on their level which depends on the number of contributions they make to Google Maps.

You can learn more about the program and benefits in the Help Center.