Google Local Guides Program: What it is & How to Earn Points & Badge

0
891

Anyone can start contributing and be a part of the Google Local Guides Program. It is one of the best programs to help people. We will discuss each and everything here so that you can know.

There is no denying the fact that imagining life without Google Maps is certainly impossible because today, everyone has easy access to Google Maps. But, those of a certain age must be aware of the horrors of paper maps, trying to find the relevant way in a moving car.

Nowadays, convenient functionality and easy-to-understand directions given by Google Maps have made our lives easy. The benefit is not limited to only providing direction, it can do much more than just that. It can provide opening and closing times of restaurants, reviews, and other important information.

Nowadays, you can easily get information about a place that may be entirely new to you. Google accumulates this information from a worldwide network of Local Guides under the Google Local Guides program. With meaningful information about hotels, famous landmarks, the metro, and many more you can make well-informed decisions.

Let’s delve deep into the Google Local Guides Program and Google Local Guide.

What is the Google Local Guide Program?

The Google Local Guide program encourages users to write content, add reviews, edit information, and other crucial information about local businesses and places. It rewards users for adding valuable information to Google Business Profiles and Google Maps. Google developed the Local Guides program so you can earn points and reap benefits from Google contributions in a hassle-free manner.

What are Google Local Guides?

It is also known as Google Guides and the main reason behind its tremendous popularity is that it uses user-generated content with the motive to enrich the information available on Google Maps and business profiles. Google Local Guides community share photos and videos of their experience, write reviews of businesses, add information to places like business hours, and parking facilities, and check factual information on Google Maps.

Google Local Guides get badges, points, and several other Google Local Guide perks for their noteworthy contribution. After collecting several points you can increase your level can also unlock badges. The badge can be seen next to your name in Google Maps when you give any review or answer questions.

Listed below are some of the points that you can earn while giving your valuable contribution to Google Maps:

Review – 10 points
Review with more than 200 characters – 20 points
Rate any business – 1 point
Photo upload – 5 points
Video upload – 7 points
Tagging a photo – 3 points
Checking facts – 1 point
Respond to Q&As – 3 point
Road added – 15 points
Place added – 15 points
Description (in the list) – 5 points
The eligible list published – 10 points
Edit Information – 5 points

The best thing about Local Guide points is that they don’t expire. But, if you see that the content you have submitted is removed then the points you have earned for it will disappear. As your points increase, you will reach a higher level in the Local Guides program

Local Guides Level and Badges

Level Point Badges
Level 1   0 point No badge
Level 2 15 points No badge
Level 3 75 points No badge
Level 4 250 points 4-point star
Level 5 500 points 5-point star
Level 6 1,500 points 7-point star
Level 7 5,000 points 7-point fancy star
Level 8 15,000 points 9-point star
Level 9 50,000 points 9-point fancy star
Level 10 100,000 points 10-point star

 

How can you join the Google Local Guide Program?

Google is not only the search engine also when it comes to joining the Google Local Guide program, you will find that it is very easy. You just need to follow some basic easy steps:

Step 1
Firstly, you have to sign in to your Google account and simply navigate to the Local Guides signup page. Then, just add your location, confirm you are 18+, and agree to receive mail.

Step 2
After signing in you can start making contributions to Google Maps. You will see a welcome video. To add your first review, you can search for the place you want to review. At last, click the ‘Contribute’ button to get points, rewards, and badges.

Step 3
After adding the name of the business you want to review, you’ll have to answer a series of questions asked by Google. For example, you have to tell about your overall star rating and even information about your trip.

Step 4
At this step, you can now begin to make contributions directly to Google Maps. You just have to go to Maps which will help you to check facts and verify information that other users have submitted about several other businesses.

Wrapping Up

Every contribution that you make through the Google Local Guides program such as writing a review, editing information, or uploading a photo or video will help you to avail great benefits. You will not only earn rewards, but you will have more power to fake negative comments. Hence, being part of this program will always be a good thing. As a Google Local Guide, you will help unlock some hidden gems of your city and help others plan a trip or try something new without making them feel overwhelmed with information from search results and listing platforms. Joining the program is effortless, so become a local guide and make Google Maps a better place for business information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I earn my Local Guide Badge?

If you are looking to get your Local Guide badge, you need to collect points by completing activities such as uploading photos or rating places. There is also a way to increase your level by helping other users or you can also level up by adding useful content to Google Maps.

How do I know about my Local Guide level?

There are some points that you need to consider to check your Local Guide level:

  • Open the Google Maps app.
  • Just tap the profile that you get in the bottom right.
  • You can check your level that is listed under Google Local Guide level.

What are the benefits available to a Google Local Guide?

  • Your opinions will be considered more valuable in comparison to those users who don’t participate regularly. When it comes to reporting fake reviews or comments, this can be highly significant. As a Local guide, you can report spam and Google will immediately delete the comment.
  • Get early access to newly arrived Google products and get free monthly gifts from Google
  • You can reap the benefits of special discounts which are only available to participants of the program.
  • You will get invites to attend sponsored events where you can meet and talk to numerous other participants in the program.
  • Google will give you a personalized certificate
  • You can get early access to amazing features of Maps as a Google Maps Local Guide.

How can I become a Google Reviewer?

You need to have a Google Account to become a Google reviewer. After having a Google account, you can give useful reviews about businesses that you have visited.
Writing a review follows a very easy step. You have to search for the business on Google Maps and simply click on the “Write a review” button. Your valuable review includes sharing your experience with the business and telling other people about their products and services.

I am a young digital marketer and a blog analyst, Author from Uttarakhand, India. I have been into blogging since 2013 and helping businesses with their SEO requirements. I have 12 years of experience; during the journey, I have worked on many websites and made good friends. I research and share my knowledge with everyone to help them succeed as solopreneurs, businessmen, and entrepreneurs. You can also find me on LinkedIn and see my entire journey.