Google Local Guides
 | |
| Founded | January 15, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Type | Online volunteer community |
| Purpose | Improving Google Maps through user contributions |
| Owner | |
| Website | maps |
Google Local Guides is a global crowdsourcing program operated by Google that allows users to contribute data, reviews, and media to Google Maps. Participants, known as Local Guides, earn points and progress through levels to unlock digital badges and occasional rewards from Google.[1]
History
[edit]The program was officially launched on January 15, 2015, succeeding earlier community efforts such as the "City Experts" program and incorporating elements of Google Map Maker after its closure in 2017.[2] In 2016, Google launched Local Guides Connect, a dedicated community forum for members to interact and organize local meetups.[3]
Contribution System
[edit]The program is highly gamified. Users earn points for specific actions:
- Reviews: 10 points per review (plus bonuses for reviews longer than 200 characters).
- Photos/Videos: 5–7 points per upload.
- Edits: 5 points for suggesting corrections to business information.
- New Places: 15 points for adding a missing location to the map.
Levels and Badges
[edit]There are 10 levels within the program. Upon reaching Level 4 (250 points), users receive a public star badge that appears next to their profile on Google Maps.[4]
Impact
[edit]The program is cited in academic literature as a significant example of volunteered geographic information (VGI). Research suggests that Local Guides contribute heavily to the "richness" of local data that proprietary algorithms cannot easily capture, such as wheelchair accessibility or specific indoor atmospheres.[5]
Criticism
[edit]Critics and Local SEO experts have noted that the gamified nature of the program can sometimes lead to "low-quality" contributions, where users post generic photos or one-word reviews simply to earn points.[1] Additionally, some users have expressed frustration with automated moderation systems that may flag legitimate contributions as spam.
See also
[edit]- Google Maps
- Local Guides Connect
- OpenStreetMap
- Google Map Maker
- Yandex Map Editor
- Mapping Bangladesh
- Here Map Creator
- OpenStreetMap
- Wikimapia
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sterling, Greg (13 November 2024). "Google's Local Guide program: Wins, woes and what's next?". Search Engine Land. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ "Google is shutting down Map Maker". The Verge. 8 November 2016.
- ^ "Local Guides Connect Official Forum". Google.
- ^ "Local Guides points, levels, and badging". Google Help.
- ^ See, C. (2020). "Volunteered Geographic Information in the context of Google Maps". GI_Forum. 8 (1).