Google Local Guides Program: What Is a Google Local Guide and How Do You Sign Up for It?

If you’re curious about the ‘Google Local Guide program’ and want to know what Google Local Guide is, how to sign up for the program, and how to advance through levels using points and Google Local Guide pin badge, then you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will give you comprehensive information about the program and its various aspects, and it will also include Local Guide reviews.

So, without wasting any time, let’s dive straight into the details—

What Is the Google Local Guide Program?

To explain what the Google Local Guides program is, let’s start by quoting Google’s official page: “Local Guides is a global community of explorers who write reviews, share photos, answer questions, add or edit places, and check facts on Google Maps. Millions of people rely on the contributions of Google’s local guides to decide where to go and what to do.”

So, this clarifies that – the Local Guides program empowers a global community of users to share insights, write reviews, upload photos, fact-check, edit Google My Business listings, and maintain the accuracy of Google Maps and its broader range of features.

Fundamentally, the Local Guides program encourages individuals to contribute local business information and details to Google Maps. Through reviews, photos, and corrections—participants earn points and a Google Local guide pin badge for their contributions to enhancing map accuracy and providing valuable insights to others.

Local Guide Program: Categories, Points, Levels & Badges Explained!

Categories

The Local Guides program covers a wide range of categories, such as restaurants, attractions, and more. In these given categories, guides share insights and reviews about the places they’ve visited, helping users explore with confidence —

• Restaurants
• Cafes
• Hotels
• Attractions
• Landmarks
• Parks
• Shopping centers
• Museums
• Theaters
• Events

Subsequently, the individuals who excelled in enhancing the user experience were ranked in these categories —

• Helpful Hero
• Inclusive Mapper
• Community Builder
• Creative Contributor
• Local Business Champion
• Sustainability Star

Points

By contributing to the map through reviews, photos and edits, Local Guides earn points and increase the accuracy and usefulness of the platform. To be precise, points are earned through these contributions to Google Maps —

Activity	Points Earned
Check a fact	1 point
Rate a business	1 point
Respond to Q&As	3 points
Tag a photo	3 points
Edit information	5 points
Upload a photo	5 points
Write a description (in list)	5 points
Upload a video	7 points
Publish an eligible list	10 points
Write a review	10 points
Add a place	15 points
Add a road	15 points
Write a 200+ character review	20 points

Levels

As Local Guides collect points, their level increases. Higher levels come with special attributes that enhance their status, influence, and impact. Earlier, this web search platform rewarded top-level Local Guides with benefits like free cloud storage and discounts on Google Play.

Coming back to emphasize the main point, the program levels comprise —

No. of Levels	Points Required
Level 1	0 points
Level 2	15 points
Level 3	75 points
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

Badges

Last but not least, Local Guide Program offers badges to highlight Guide accomplishments, such as contributions in specific categories, showcasing expertise and dedication in the Local Guide community.

By referring to the table, you’ll notice that different type of badges can be earned in accordance with your levels and the points you accumulate —

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

Also, Read This: To Resolve Confusion on Search Google or Type a URL in 2023

How to Sign Up for the Google Local Guides Program?

If you’re curious about joining the Local Guide program, you’ll find your answer just now.  Simply follow these steps to sign up for the Local Guides program and begin your journey as an online guide—

• Step 1: Visit the ‘Local Guides signup page‘ using your respective browser.
• Step 2: On the sign-up page, click on ’Get Started.’

  

 

• Step 3: After that, you need to enter the ‘Name of your City.’

  

• Step 4: In addition to that, you also need to tick-mark the following two checkboxes;
  • ‘I agree to the program rules.’
  • ‘I agree to receive updates about my impact on Google Maps and the Local Guides Program.’

    

• Step 5: Once you’ve done that, click on ‘Become a Local Guide.’

  

• Step 6: Now, click on ‘Start Contributing’ and begin earning points by making contributions to Google Maps such as, You can leave reviews and upload photos of the places you’ve visited.

  

Note: The more you review, engage yourself, and interact, the greater your guide ranking becomes.

How Does the Local Guides Program Work?

This program turns the Google Maps feedback process into a rewarding game. As you visit different places, it prompts you for feedback like reviews and photos. When you do this, your contribution helps you earn points, with different contributions yielding varying points.

By earning points, you’ll be able to elevate your Local Guide level and over time, as you progress, you’ll earn badges showcasing your contributions, special Local Guide rewards like Google Pins, discounts, and early access to new features.

So, to make a long story short, this is a way to turn your valuable feedback into recognition and rewards.

What Defines Google Local Guides?

Google Local Guides are prominent Google Maps users who enjoy special benefits, like early access to new features of this search engine.

They play a key role by responding to queries about local businesses, crafting reviews showcased in local search outcomes, and impacting local SEO rankings.

Their contributions encompass a variety of inputs like reviews, pictures, answers, fact-checks, and more.

Not just that, they actively enrich and adjust location particulars on Google Maps, often serving as the primary information source for local neighborhoods.

To be precise, these influential users have the ability to add and modify locations, and also verify information listed on Google Maps.

Note: According to the preeminent search engine, countless Search results and Google Maps users depend on the insights provided by Local Guides.

What Are the Advantages and Perks of Being a Google Local Guide?

After you sign up for the program, you start sharing your insights and local business photos as a Local Guide. By doing so, you’re not only helping future customers and increasing online visibility for businesses, but you’re also earning the following perks—

• Exclusive Features: You’ll get access to new features of this top search engine before they’re widely available.
• Exclusive Rewards: You’ll occasionally receive unique Local Guide rewards from partner companies.
• Earn Badges and Reach Higher Levels: You get your first Local Guide badge when you reach level four in the Guide program. This badge recognizes your contribution and increases the visibility of the places you’ve visited.
• Community Connections: You’ll be able to connect with fellow local guides in a vibrant community.
• Personal Development: This will enhance your writing, photography and review skills.
• Invitation for Google Events: The platform will also reward you with exclusive perks, early access to new products, and top-secret partner prizes. Furthermore, if you’re lucky, you might even be featured in their promotional video or you might be invited to attend an all-expenses-paid summit that gathers together the world’s finest local guides.
• Digital Badge: Last but not least, as a token of recognition, the platform also provides Local Guides with a unique digital badge on Google Maps for their valuable contribution.

Point to Consider: These perks are less common and available mainly to people with upper contribution levels. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that these offerings differ by location.

What Responsibilities and Duties Does a Local Guide Have?

The responsibilities and duties of a Local Guide include —

• Contribute helpful reviews, star ratings, and photos for local businesses and places.
• Suggest new places and add missed places to Google Maps.
• Edit and enhance your Google Business Profile for accuracy.
• Contribute to accurate mapping by adding, modifying or correcting roads in Google Maps.
• Verify the accuracy of the information added to Places on Google Maps.
• Report and address instances of spam content.
• Create personalized lists of places for others to discover.
• Help maintain accuracy by marking closures on Google Maps.
• Engage in the community by answering questions and participating in discussions.

Through these responsibilities, Local Guides play an important role in enhancing the mapping and local business experience for users.

How Can You Score Points, Level Up and Earn Badges In the Local Guides Program?

To level up or progress in the Local Guide program, follow these key steps—

• Craft useful reviews for local businesses.
• Enhance places by adding quality photos.
• Update and correct business details.
• Respond to user queries about places.
• Recommend new locations for Google Maps.
• Engage actively with the Local Guides community.
• Attend events for extra rewards and recognition.

These actions allow you to ‘earn points for your contributions, unlock badges when you earn points and achieve higher levels with more points’, thereby collectively shaping your local guide journey and driving personal growth.

What Are the Restrictions Associated with Being a Local Guide?

Becoming a Local Guide does involve certain limitations. If you’re curious about them, know that when using Google’s products or services, make sure of the followings —

• Do not enter or attempt to access any property or place without proper authorization.
• Don’t pretend to be someone else.
• Do not share or guide illegal actions.
• Do not post fake, misleading or inappropriate content, including reviews, edits or deletions.
• When participating in an Event, Local Guides must comply with the Event’s rules, regulations and applicable laws.
• It may remove any Local Guides from the Program at its sole discretion.
• Contributions to Google Maps for profit must come from one account and cannot be carried over to other accounts.
• You may not represent yourself as a Google employee or representative.
• Last but not least, remember that the Local Guides logo is for official use only. So, do not use it, whether online or offline, without written permission.

Local Guide Reviews: The Positive and the Negative Side!

For Local Guide reviews, let us first provide you with a clear snapshot of the information about Local Guides program —

Aspect	Details
Program Name	Google Local Guide Program
Purpose	Encourage users to contribute local business reviews, photos and other information to Google Maps.
Participation Levels	1. Level 1: 0-4 points 2. Level 2: 5-49 points 3. Level 3: 50-199 points 4. Level 4: 200-499 points 5. Level 5: 500+ points
Points & Activities	Earn points by: Writing reviews, Adding photos, Correcting business information, Answering questions, and more.
Benefits	Access to Google perks like: Early features access, Local meetups, and Occasionally free Google Drive storage.
Eligibility	Open to anyone with a Google account.
Registration	Sign up through the Google Maps app or website.
Recognition	Badges and levels showcased on the user’s profile.
Contribution Impact	User input enhances the accuracy of Google Maps and helps provide valuable information to users.
Local Guide Connect	A platform for Local Guides to: Communicate, Share experiences, and Attend local meetups.
Local Guides Summit	An annual event hosted by the platform for top contributors from around the world.
Community Engagement	Users can interact with other Local Guides and the platform through: Forums and Events.
Mobile App Integration	Integration with the Google Maps mobile app for: Easy contribution and Tracking.
Rules and Guidelines	Contributors must adhere to Platform’s: Content policies and Quality standards.

Now, coming to the point;

On the one hand, the positive aspects of Local Guides include community engagement, contributing to maps, and receiving various Local Guide rewards.

However, on the other hand, there is also a potential dark side which includes biased reviews, inappropriate content and an excessive emphasis on rewards rather than genuine feedback.

Therefore, it is important to balance these aspects in order to maintain the credibility and usefulness of the platform.

Wrapping Up!

That’s all! The Local Guides Program provides a platform for individuals to contribute valuable insights to Google Maps and Business Profiles with accurate information, new photos and helpful reviews. It serves as an additional approach to increase your online visibility and help you make a significant impact on the world’s top search engine.

So, what are you waiting for? Go join this Local Guide program by signing up with your Google account. As you complete tasks like writing reviews and uploading photos, you’ll earn points, move up levels, and receive badges that highlight your expertise.

Essentially, this program not only enriches Maps but also rewards users with perks like early features, meetups, and free Drive storage to make it a win-win for both contributors and users seeking reliable local information.

Next, Read: What is a Google People Card and How to Add Yourself to It?

FAQs

Sources