Google has always been innovative when it comes to public participation for the promotion and advertising of its services. This is possible with the gifts and additional benefits that have been promised. So far it has been a great success as more and more people are attracted to this idea. Also, this comes with the consequence of handing over personal information to the tech giant.

If we can avoid this little problem, Local Guides is a wonderful platform if you like to travel and would like to know about local places like restaurants, tourist attractions, etc. It works like Trip Advisor and other contemporaries and gives you the opportunity to rate their service and leave comments.

Additionally, the Local Guides program offers free Google Drive storage and gives you timed, internal access. Also, it ensures your presence on social media network as your ratings and comments will be present on Google Maps and give you an opportunity to make the Map more accurate and useful for people.

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There are five levels in the process of grading up and they ensure quick boosts up the ladder. Each rank or level is promoted based on the ranking by earning points for your reviews, photos, adding or editing places and by answering the questions that are asked. Until level three, everything is easy and at this level, you get a little icon on your profile indicating that you are a bona fide Local Guide. It’s quite something!

The first couple of tiers don’t offer much in the way of perks, only offering a monthly newsletter and invitations to an occasional Google Hangout. It’s a once in a blue moon kind of a thing. The full benefits start to come in once you hit level four. Here you get a terabyte of Google Drive storage for two years and a surprise annual thank you gift. And with level five you get exclusive information on what’s coming with Maps and possibly an invite to a Local Guides summit.

HOW TO CLIMB THE LADDER?

The basic and general idea is very simple. Add more reviews, more photos, new locations on Google Maps. But keep in mind that all reviews are honest and true to the core. Just to earn points, one shouldn’t promote a really bad place.

Another way to speed things up is to use some of Google’s other services like Google Photos, enable location history in Maps. You will find your photos wherever you have been with your phone after activating these services. In addition, the photos will appear in the places where Google thinks you stopped. Also, Google Photos will save it automatically.

To add images for reviews, all you have to do is tap on one of the locations you visited and then add your review along with the images. Get more points and rewards with images and reviews together. Talk about the extra benefits!

Another way to climb the ladder, add places and locations on Google Maps. In other words, you are updating and validating Maps. Most of the time a lot of nice joints won’t be listed on Maps or get lost etc. If you successfully add all the relevant information like name, address, hours and other details about the place, you will surely get a nice point boost. Also, it is a two-way street. You help boost someone’s business. On the other hand, you actually bring the spotlight to other humans a good place to hang out. It’s kind of a win-win situation.

Once again, another way to earn points is by answering the simple questions that always appear. And trust me; these questions can sometimes get weird.