brand reputation management<\/a> strategy is largely dependent on the quality and quantity of the contributions from the Guides, businesses can respond to these contributions and leverage the program to enhance their online presence and manage their reputation. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is the Google Local Guide Program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The Google Local Guides program is a community-driven initiative by Google that encourages users to contribute information about local businesses, places, and attractions. Participating users are called Local Guides, and they share their knowledge and customer experiences by writing reviews, adding pictures and videos, updating information found on business listings, and answering questions about various locations on Google Maps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local Guides earn points for their contributions, which they can accumulate and use to unlock different levels within the program. Each level comes with various Local Guide benefits and perks, such as early access to new Google features, exclusive events, and special promotions or discounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Google Local Guide program is designed to improve the accuracy and completeness of local business information on Google Maps, all while fostering a sense of community among users who are passionate about sharing their insights about and experiences of the places they visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By participating in the Local Guides program, users help enhance the overall quality of information available on Google Maps, making it more useful and reliable for people seeking details about businesses, landmarks, and other points of interest in different locations around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Do Customers Become a Local Guide?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Anyone with a Google account can become a Local Guide. To start making contributions, users simply have to download the Google Maps app on a mobile device or access it through a Web browser. To join the program, users can follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOpen Google Maps and sign in with your Google account. <\/li>\n\n\n\n Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu. <\/li>\n\n\n\n Scroll down and select “Your contributions.” Tap on “Join Local Guides” and follow the instructions to sign up for the program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, users can sign up by visiting https:\/\/maps.google.com\/localguides\/. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo earn points and enjoy Google Local Guide benefits, users can score a place with ratings, describe their experience with reviews, share photos and videos, respond to questions about certain places, submit edits to help update business information, add missing places, or verify information by checking facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Local Guides program is for individuals, not businesses. Contributions from businesses or business pages will not count towards Local Guides levels or benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Local Guide Benefits and Perks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Local Guides earn points for every contribution they make on Google Maps. The more points they accumulate, the higher their Local Guides level will be. Here is a list of the types of contributions that Google Local Guides can make, alongside the corresponding number of points per contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nReview: <\/strong>10 points per review <\/li>\n\n\n\nReview:<\/strong> with more than 200 characters: 10 bonus points per review <\/li>\n\n\n\nRating:<\/strong> 1 point per rating <\/li>\n\n\n\nPhoto:<\/strong> 5 points per photo <\/li>\n\n\n\nPhoto tags:<\/strong> 3 points per tag <\/li>\n\n\n\nVideo:<\/strong> 7 points per video <\/li>\n\n\n\nCaption (In photo update):<\/strong> 10 points per caption <\/li>\n\n\n\nAnswer:<\/strong> 1 point per answer <\/li>\n\n\n\nRespond to Q&As:<\/strong> 3 points per response <\/li>\n\n\n\nEdit:<\/strong> 5 points per edit <\/li>\n\n\n\nPlace added:<\/strong> 15 points per place added <\/li>\n\n\n\nRoad added:<\/strong> 15 points per road added <\/li>\n\n\n\nFact checked:<\/strong> One point per checked fact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nLevels range from 1 to 10, and as users reach higher levels, they may unlock additional benefits. At Level 4, users will be able to unlock their first Local Guides badge, which helps their contributions to places get noticed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Local Guide benefits and perks include early access to 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, and thank-you gifts for high-quality contributions to Google Maps. Some Local Guides even receive additional Google Drive storage as a perk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How the Local Guide Program Contributes to Local Business Listings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Google Local Guides contribute to the accuracy and completeness of local business information on Google Maps, making it easier for others to find what they’re looking for, while also helping support businesses by enhancing their discoverability and search visibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, Local Guides help make Google Maps, an important business discovery platform, work better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By actively participating in the Local Guides program, contributors play an important role in enhancing the quality of information available on Google Maps. This, in turn, benefits both businesses and users looking for reliable and accurate details about local establishments. The program relies on the efforts of Local Guides to keep local business listings<\/a> (officially called Google Business Profiles) comprehensive and helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Local Guide: Implications on Reputation Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The type and quality of contributions that Local Guides make can work in your favor and support your online reputation management strategy. Here are some of the ways the Local Guide program impacts the reputation of businesses, no matter the size and category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detailed Reviews and Ratings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Positive reviews written by Local Guides can help enhance your brand reputation, while negative feedback can drive away potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, Local Guides\u2019 reviews and ratings tend to show up at the top of listings because the content is usually longer and includes photos and videos; they also contribute to the overall star rating displayed prominently on Google Business Profiles and Maps listings, which can influence potential customers\u2019 decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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