Who Are Google Local Guides? How to Become One?

Google Local Guide is someone who actively contributes to Google Maps by adding reviews, photos, and new locations. Thanks to the contributions of this community, maps become more accurate, and users can more easily decide which places are worth visiting. Guides often also update information about places first or add those that were not on the map previously.

The Google Local Guides program aims to enrich maps with real user experiences. Reviews, photos, and tips added by the community make map information more authentic and practical – especially for travelers looking for reliable restaurants, hotels, or attractions in a new place. It’s these contributions that make Google Maps respond to users’ needs in daily life and during travel better. Who can become a Local Guide and how to join this community?

To join the Google Local Guides program, three basic conditions must be met:

• be an individual,
• be over 18 years old,
• have an active Google account.

If you meet these criteria, you can join the community. See below for how to become a local guide step by step:

1. Go to the program page https://maps.google.com/localguides/ and click ‘Get started’

2. Choose the location from which you’ll add reviews and information

3. Start publishing!

The process of joining the Local Guides takes just a moment and can be done in three simple steps. By participating in the program, you can publish reviews, add photos, and update information about places. Every activity not only has a real impact on the quality of Google Maps, but also gives you the chance to earn points and level up. The more engaged you are, the greater the reach of your recommendations and the bigger role you play in shaping the usability of maps for other users. For what and how can you earn points?

The Google Local Guide has many ways of earning points, but the highest number – 20 points – is awarded for adding a review that is more than 200 characters long. Highly rewarded activities also include submitting a new location or adding a missing road – each of them earns 15 points. Shorter reviews (below 200 characters), captions under photos, and other activities such as adding a video are also highly rewarded. Other actions do increase the point total, although to a lesser extent. The detailed points breakdown is shown in the table below:

Source: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6225851

The points earned directly translate into the Local Guide level. The first three levels do not come with any visible distinction on the profile, because the badge that highlights the user on Google Maps appears only from level 4. Each subsequent level up changes the badge appearance, gradually distinguishing the profile from other guides.

Source: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6225851

It may take up to 24 hours for the level and points to update. Points are permanent, but they may be deducted if added content is removed due to violating Google’s community guidelines. It’s worth maintaining the authenticity of reviews and ensuring that they bring real value to users.

Google Local Guides, in addition to points and badges, can expect additional bonuses. These are usually non-physical rewards, such as early access to new features, special offers, or invitations to events organized in their region. The scope of available benefits depends on the level they achieve in the program.

However, the greatest value is the real impact on the quality of Google Maps. Thanks to the involvement of guides, users gain access to up-to-date, reliable, and helpful information about places. And you, have you already become a local guide?

If you have any questions about local SEO or want to start the process of optimizing your Google profile, write to me at [email protected]