Google Maps seems to know every insider tip about the best restaurants, untapped treasures, and must-visit spots. Have you ever questioned how this happens? That’s largely because of the Google Local Guide program! If you have ever used Google Maps to explore a new location and noticed reviews, photos, or helpful tips popping up, a Local Guide likely provided that information. But what exactly is the Google Local Guides program, and how can you sign up for it?
Google Local Guides is a global community of regular people who assist others in navigating their surroundings by sharing their local knowledge. Local guides just make it easy for you to explore new locations. The best part? As a Local Guide, you can earn points for your contributions and unlock benefits like early access to Google features, exclusive events, and even unique badges that highlight your local knowledge.
If you enjoy exploring new places and assisting others in finding the top spots in your city, signing up for the Google Local Guides program is simple and free. We’ll explain what it means to be a Local Guide, the benefits you can get, and how to become a part of this growing community in this blog.
Table of Contents
What Are Google Local Guides?
Google Local Guides is a global community of explorers comprising individuals like you and me who contribute to Google Maps by writing reviews, sharing photos, adding or editing places, and fact-checking. Many people use contributions from the Google Local Guide program to determine where to visit, activities to perform, and how to arrive at a specific destination.
Generally, they assist a multitude of people in discovering new places by freely sharing their expertise surrounding localized experiences. This enhances our experiences and helps us make more informed choices.
By basically crowdsourcing the data needed to create Google Maps, Google was able to elicit the interest of more users, some of whom gave back by participating in the Google Local Guides program. Little individual contributions add together to make Google Maps the product it is today on a global scale.
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How Does The Google Local Guide Program Work?
Google awards points to Local Guides for their contributions of knowledge, reviews, and photos on Google Maps. Higher local guides levels and benefits like first access to Google features and exclusive rewards from partners are all you get with those points.
Furthermore, your first Local Guides badge is unlocked at level 4, which increases the visibility of your contributions to places. Over time, guides accrue these points, which boost their Local Guide level.
Once they reach a certain stage, users begin to receive exclusive badges and even special benefits like Google pins, discount vouchers, and early access to new features.
Local Guides Points
Contribute content to Google Maps to acquire points. Rate a location, write a review about your experience there, upload images and videos, offer insights and answers, address questions about a place, add missing places, update information with place edits, and double-check information.
Here’s how many points you earn based on your Maps contribution.
| Maps contribution | Points earned |
| Review | 10 points per review |
| Review with more than 200 characters | 10 bonus points per review |
| Rating | 1 point per rating |
| Photo | 5 points per photo |
| Photo tags | 3 points per tag |
| Video | 7 points per video |
| Caption (In photo update) | 10 points per caption |
| Answer | 1 point per answer |
| Respond to Q&As | 3 points per response |
| Edit | 5 points per edit |
| Place added | 15 points per place added |
| Road added | 15 points per road added |
| Fact checked | 1 point per fact checked |
| Reported incorrect | 1 point per item reported as incorrect |
Local Guides Levels
Advance to higher levels as you accumulate points for your contributions and boost your chances of enjoying the local guides benefits.
| Level | Points | Badge |
| Level 1 | 0 points | No badge |
| Level 2 | 15 points | No badge |
| Level 3 | 75 points | No badge |
| Level 4 | 250 points |  |
| Level 5 | 500 points |  |
| Level 6 | 1,500 points |  |
| Level 7 | 5,000 points |  |
| Level 8 | 15,000 points |  |
| Level 9 | 50,000 points |  |
| Level 10 | 100,000 points |  |
Note: It may take up to 24 hours for your points and level to update. Points don’t expire, although they might be reduced if any content is taken down for violating Google Maps rules. Continue to contribute frequently to Google Maps to qualify for rewards and first access to upcoming features.
Who Can Be a Local Guide?
Anywhere Google Maps is available, Local Guides are available as well. Google Maps is currently accessible in over 40 languages and countries. However, businesses are not eligible for the Google Local Guide Program; only individuals are.
At the same time, contributions from businesses or business pages are not eligible for Local Guides benefits or levels. You must meet the legal age requirements for your country to participate in Local Guides.
Tip: After you turn 18, it can take up to 9 weeks for your Google account to update.
How To Sign Up For The Local Guide Program on Google
If this is something you’d like to be a part of, then here’s how you can sign up to become a Local Guide:
- Download and install Google Maps on your device.
- Then launch the app and sign in with your preferred Google account. Alternatively, you can sign up here.
- You’ll see the Contribute icon in the bottom bar. Tap it to start contributing.
- It’s that simple! Now, you’re a local guide and have joined the program on Google.
There are several places for you to start on the Contribute page. It lets you alter the map, add a location, leave a review, or upload a photo. Along with some prompts, it will show you places you’ve recently visited and ask you to give them a rating or review. You can also respond to basic yes/no questions.
Further, we recommend thoroughly exploring your local region, typically on foot, if you want to up your Local Guides game. Help fill in the details for local businesses, tourist spots, utilities, public transportation stops, etc., by taking a stroll around your neighbourhood.
Take photos of business entrances and name boards, record the roads on camera, and develop the habit of writing your candid thoughts on Google Maps. Note that Local Guides is a community-driven platform.
Hence, sincere reviews and recommendations from other contributors will eventually overshadow dishonest ones, so you dare not be untruthful. Additionally, Google will take action against Local Guides that don’t follow its policies, so be honest in your feedback.
FAQs
The truth is, Google Maps local guide is volunteer work that comes without pay. Google does not pay or compensate you for this volunteer work.
There are a thousand ways to monetize Google Maps. Map analysis, translation, and local marketing services are all different ways to make money from it. Besides that, you can become a local guide, promote your business on the platform, and create customized apps that use Google Maps APIs.
Yes. however, you must meet the age requirements for your country. Plus, only individuals are allowed to join the local guide program, not businesses.
Points are awarded to Local Guides for their contributions of knowledge, photos, and reviews on Google Maps. Higher program levels and bonuses like first access to Google features and exclusive partner rewards are all attainable with those points.
Conclusion
One excellent way to share your local knowledge and assist others in learning about the world is through the Google Local Guides program. Becoming a Local Guide is a pleasant and rewarding experience with simple sign-up and interesting benefits like points, badges, and early access to new Google services.
If you enjoy exploring and recommending places, why not become a part of the community and start having an influence right now?