When Google launched Local Guides a few years ago, few of us could have realized the level of impact this program would have on the local search ecosystem, and Industry Email List even if we had, I wish it was positive. After all, getting real humans to contribute their opinions and time to make Google Maps more useful and accurate is a noble and admirable goal, isn't it? Unfortunately, after talking to several high profile Industry Email List members of the local search community, including some Google My Business product experts (qualified users certified by
Google as having exceptional and in-depth knowledge of their products), the current situation is far to be optimistic. It seems that the professional perception of Google Local Guides is one of bad actors, gamification, abuse, and misuse, as you'll Industry Email List see in the examples and quotes below. What is Industry Email List a local guide? But let's back up for a second. For the uninitiated, a Google Local Guide is a Google user participating in an activity Industry Email List program that rewards them for their frequent contributions to Google Maps. Users tend to favor
Android smartphone owners due to the built-in Google access through their devices, but the program is available to anyone with a Industry Email List Google account and access to the Google Maps app. The principle is very simple: each contribution (submit a photo, write a review, answer a Q&A question from another user, choose Industry Email List an attribute for a business / location you have visited, suggest an edit of a Google My Business profile, etc.) is worth points.