Google Local Guides

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Google Local Guides is a community programme associated with Google Maps that enables participants to contribute local knowledge and information to the mapping service. Local Guides can submit reviews, ratings, photographs, videos, answers to questions, place edits, new places, road information, and other forms of geographic and business information. Contributions are used to help maintain and expand information available to people using Google Maps. Participants earn points for eligible contributions and can progress through programme levels.

History

Google Local Guides developed as a community-based contribution programme for Google Maps. Its purpose was to provide a structured way for people to share knowledge about places they visit and help improve information available on the mapping platform.

The programme expanded the ways in which individuals could contribute to Google Maps beyond simply viewing maps or obtaining directions. Participants could share experiences through reviews, photographs, ratings, and other forms of local information.

A points and levels system was introduced to recognise contributions and encourage continued participation. The programme subsequently expanded its contribution categories and introduced additional levels and badges.

Google has continued to develop Local Guides as a global community. The programme includes Local Guides Connect, an online community where contributors can interact with other participants, discuss Google Maps contributions, and receive programme updates.

Over time, contributions have also expanded beyond reviews and photographs. Current contribution categories include ratings, videos, answers, responses to questions and answers, edits, newly added places and roads, and fact-checking activities.

Overview

Google Local Guides is integrated with Google Maps. Participants contribute information about places based on their experiences and knowledge. Contributions can help other Maps users obtain additional information about businesses, attractions, roads, public places, and other locations.

A Local Guide can contribute in several ways. Reviews allow participants to describe their experience at a place, while ratings provide a numerical assessment. Photographs and videos can provide visual information about locations and their surroundings.

Participants can also answer questions about places, respond to questions and answers, suggest edits to existing information, add missing places, add roads, and verify information through fact-checking activities.

The programme uses a points-based system. Eligible contributions generate points, and accumulated points determine a participant's Local Guides level. There are ten levels, beginning at Level 1 and extending to Level 10.

According to the current programme structure, Level 4 is reached at 250 points and is associated with the Local Guides badge. Higher levels require progressively larger numbers of points, with Level 10 requiring 100,000 points.

Features / Functions / Principles

One of the principal features of Google Local Guides is user-generated information. Participants provide observations and information about locations that can supplement information already available on Google Maps.

Reviews allow participants to describe their experiences with businesses, attractions, services, and other eligible places. A review normally provides qualitative information, while a rating provides a numerical assessment.

Photographs and videos allow contributors to provide visual information about places. Such content can help Maps users understand the appearance, facilities, surroundings, and other characteristics of a location.

Place edits allow participants to suggest corrections or updates to information already displayed on Google Maps. Contributors can also add missing places and roads where eligible.

Questions and answers provide another method of contributing local knowledge. Participants can answer questions about places and respond to questions and answers associated with locations.

Fact checking allows contributors to verify or report information associated with places. These contributions form part of the programme's wider effort to maintain useful local information.

The programme includes a points system. A review earns 10 points, while a review exceeding 200 characters receives an additional 10-point bonus. Ratings earn 1 point, photographs earn 5 points, videos earn 7 points, edits earn 5 points, and adding a place or road earns 15 points. Other contribution types have their own point values.

The programme also includes badges and levels. Participants can progress from Level 1 through Level 10 according to their accumulated points. Local Guides Level 4 and above receive the Local Guides badge on their Google Maps contributions.

Contributions are subject to Google's applicable content policies. Contributions that are removed for violating policies may not count toward a participant's level, and points can be reduced when eligible content is removed.

Importance / Applications

Google Local Guides contributes to the development of local information available through Google Maps. User contributions can provide details that may not be available through standard map data, including personal observations, photographs, ratings, and corrections to place information.

The programme is particularly relevant to local businesses and community places because users can contribute information about shops, restaurants, educational institutions, public facilities, tourist attractions, and other locations. Such contributions can help Maps users compare places and make decisions about where to visit.

Photographs and videos can provide additional context about places, while reviews can describe user experiences. Edits and fact-checking can help identify inaccurate or outdated information and suggest corrections.

Adding missing places and roads also contributes to the geographic coverage of Google Maps. These functions can be useful in areas where information about newly established businesses, roads, landmarks, or other locations may not yet be complete.

The programme also creates a community of contributors. Local Guides Connect provides a platform for participants to interact with other Local Guides and discuss their experiences and contributions. Points, levels, badges, early access to selected Google features, and invitations to special events are among the forms of recognition associated with the programme. The availability of particular benefits may vary over time and by programme conditions.

Google Local Guides therefore combines crowdsourced geographic information with a structured contributor community. Its activities support the creation, correction, and enrichment of place information while providing participants with a system for tracking and recognising their contributions.

See Also

References

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