The Google Local Guides program is a vibrant global community where users contribute valuable information about local businesses, attractions, and places. This engagement can significantly support marketing efforts, build brand reputation, manage online reviews and ratings, and improve online search visibility and exposure. Becoming a Local Guide offers various benefits and allows you to share your experiences and insights with others. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to become a Local Guide on Google and maximize your contributions.
What is the Google Local Guides Program?
The Google Local Guides program is a community-driven initiative by Google that encourages users to share their knowledge and experiences about local businesses, places, and attractions on Google Maps. As a Local Guide, you can contribute by writing reviews, adding photos and videos, updating business information, and answering questions about various locations.
Local Guides earn points for their contributions, allowing them to unlock different levels within the program. Each level comes with various benefits and perks, such as early access to new Google features, exclusive events, and special promotions or discounts. The primary goal of the program is to enhance the accuracy and completeness of local business information on Google Maps.
By participating in the Local Guides program, you’ll help improve the overall quality of information available on Google Maps, making it more useful and reliable for users seeking details about businesses, landmarks, and other points of interest.
How to Become a Google Local Guide
Anyone with a Google account can join the Google Local Guides program. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become a Local Guide:
- Open Google Maps: Access Google Maps through a web browser or download the Google Maps app on your mobile device (Android or iOS).
- Sign In: Sign in with your Google account.
- Access “Your contributions”: In the app, tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu. On the web browser, look for the menu icon.
- Join Local Guides: Scroll down and select “Your contributions.” Tap on “Join Local Guides” and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up for the program.
- Alternative Sign-Up: Alternatively, you can sign up directly by visiting https://maps.google.com/localguides/.
Once you’ve signed up, you can start contributing to Google Maps and earn points to level up within the program.
Earning Points and Google Local Guide Benefits
To earn points and enjoy Google Local Guide benefits, you can contribute in various ways. Here’s a list of contributions and the corresponding points:
- 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&A: 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 checked fact
The Local Guides program has levels ranging from 1 to 10. As you accumulate more points and reach higher levels, you unlock additional benefits. Reaching Level 4 unlocks your first Local Guides badge, which helps your contributions get noticed.
Google Local Guide benefits and perks include:
- Early access to new features and services on Google Maps
- Discounts on Google products
- Invitations to special events, parties, and meetups
- Eligibility to test new Google products and services before public release
- Thank-you gifts for high-quality contributions to Google Maps
- Additional Google Drive storage (for some Local Guides)
How Local Guides Contribute to Local Business Listings
Google Local Guides contribute to the accuracy and completeness of local business information on Google Maps. This helps users find what they’re looking for and supports businesses by enhancing their discoverability and search visibility.
By actively participating in the Local Guides program, contributors play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of information available on Google Maps, benefiting both businesses and users. The program relies on the efforts of Local Guides to keep local business listings (officially called Google Business Profiles) comprehensive and helpful.
Implications of Google Local Guides on Reputation Management
The type and quality of contributions made by Local Guides can significantly impact a business’s online reputation management strategy. Here are some ways the Local Guide program influences business reputation:
- Detailed Reviews and Ratings: Positive reviews from Local Guides can enhance your brand reputation, while negative feedback can drive away potential customers. Local Guides’ reviews often appear at the top of listings due to their detailed nature, including photos and videos. These reviews also contribute to the overall star rating displayed prominently on Google Business Profiles and Maps listings.
- Online Search Visibility and Exposure: Google Business Profiles with a steady stream of positive reviews and substantial information provided by Local Guides may experience an increase in visibility on Google Maps and other Google services.
- Brand Trust and Credibility: User-generated content published by Local Guides can contribute to brand credibility and trustworthiness. Potential customers often rely on reviews from real users to make informed decisions.
- Local SEO Impact: Content generated by Local Guides, such as reviews, photos, videos, and answers to questions, can positively impact your business location’s search engine optimization (SEO) performance.
How to Encourage Google Local Guides to Engage With Your Business
Engaging with Google Local Guides can significantly benefit your business. Here are some strategies to encourage their participation:
- Manage Your Google Business Profile: Ensure your Business Profile is optimized with correct, complete, and up-to-date business information, including the business name, address, operating hours, and phone number.
- Respond to Reviews: Respond to both positive and negative reviews promptly. According to research, a significant percentage of customers expect a review response within a week, yet many never hear back from the business.
- Avoid Incentivizing or Buying Reviews: Contributions from Local Guides and customers should be organic. Buying fake reviews or incentivizing reviews violates Google’s review policy and can lead to penalties.
- Publish Google Posts: Incorporate Google Posts into your listing management strategy to attract more customers and signal to Google that your business is active and engaged.
- Analyze Local Guides’ Feedback for Insights: Candid feedback from Local Guides can provide valuable insights into the customer experience. Use this information to address challenges and improve your offerings.
Conclusion
Becoming a Local Guide on Google is a rewarding way to contribute to your community and help others discover great local businesses and attractions. By following the steps outlined in this guide and actively engaging with Google Maps, you can enhance your online presence, build your reputation, and enjoy the various benefits of the Local Guides program. Remember, your contributions not only help other users but also support local businesses in gaining visibility and attracting more customers.
