Why the Google Local Guide Program Is Essential for Local Businesses?

Google introduced a new program called Google Local Guide Program that adds value to Google maps and focuses on enhancing the visibility of every location, whether small, medium, or local businesses. This initiative of Google mainly focuses on providing local businesses an opportunity to outshine their businesses in the competitive world. 

The program allows local businesses to provide information about their services, products, locations, or contact details to attract customers globally. It also offers individuals the opportunity to participate, provide valuable information related to local businesses, share their experiences, and earn rewards. 

Now, the question arises of how you can contribute to the Google Local Guide Program and how local businesses can take maximum benefits from it. You can find the answers to these questions below in the blog. 

Firstly let’s go through a detailed analysis of the Google Local Guide Program. 

What is the Google Local Guide Program?

Google Local Guide Program is a digital initiative launched by Google to intensify the reliability and authenticity of Google Maps. This program focuses on collecting invaluable experiences, reviews, and insights from the community to develop more robust and amplified mapping services. The program is all about providing information that can be helpful in the development of Google Maps. 

The Local Guide Program aims to enhance the experience of the community by providing the most accurate, exact, and detailed information about the searched location. The Local Guide Program focuses on providing the most accurate information about where to eat, visit, or shop. 

How an Individual can Contribute to the Local Guide Program? 

In this program, individuals play an important role by providing invaluable information, updates, and insights into routes or locations. These individuals who contribute to the Local Guide Program are generally referred to as local guides. Here are some ways how local guides contribute to the enhancement of the program. 

1. Reviews

Local guides write reviews about the places they have visited, providing information about the services, hardships, and overall experience. These reviews help other users gain insights into the place and make wise decisions related to traveling. 

2. Photos

Local guides provide a pictorial presentation of the place, allowing others to better understand the place, its environment, and its authenticity.

3. Data Updates

The local guide suggests necessary updates of place, location, and routes on Google Maps, including hours, addresses, nearby landmarks, short routes, or phone numbers. It provides accurate information to others and makes Google Maps the most reliable source of information. 

4. Q/A

The Local Guide Program offers a question/answer section to the local guides. In this section, the local guides answer certain questions asked by the community. By answering these questions, the local guides provide the community with information that helps them simplify their choices. 

By participating in these activities, providing information, and sharing their experience, the local guide contributes significantly to Google Maps and earns points. Through these points, the local guides can access several new features of Google and enjoy certain perks. 

Let’s examine the benefits of participating in the Local Guide Program.  

Benefits of Participating in Local Guide Program 

Participating in the Local Guide Program offers certain benefits to a Local Guide. Some of them are as follows: 

1. Badges and Recognition 

Continuously providing information on Google Maps or achieving a higher level in Google Maps allows an individual to earn badges that reflect their work, contribution, and active participation. 

2. Exclusive Perks 

Local guide with a high-level in program enjoys additional Google Drive Storage and early access to new features launched by Google. Besides, sometimes, the local guide also gets invitations for certain exclusive events conducted by Google. 

3. Community and Networking 

The program offers a local guide to connect with a large community across different spheres of the world. It increases the networking and enhances the overall communication experience of the Local Guide. It allows them to share and gain indispensable information, exchange cultural values, encourage local meetups, and create a friendly community environment. 

4. Boosted Visibility

The Local Guides’ contribution enhances local businesses’ visibility and presence. It helps the local businesses to attract new customers. 

5. Enhanced Local SEO 

The frequent updates, locations, contact details, and other information shared by a local guide enhance the local business presence on search engines. 

6. Increased Credibility 

The reviews of local businesses given by Local Guides enhance the business’s credibility, trustworthiness, or reliability, thereby influencing the customer’s choices and preferences. 

7. Greater Engagement 

When a high-profile Local Guide, containing badges and recognition, reviews a local business, it significantly impacts the business’s reputation, leading to increased customer visits and interactions. 

The Google Guide Program benefits both the local business and the local guide. While a local guide enjoys several perks and global recognition, a local business enjoys enhanced visibility and customer engagement. There are several other benefits that local businesses can derive from the Google Local Guide Program. Let’s go through them. 

How Can Local Businesses Benefit from the Google Local Guide Program? 

The Google Local Guide Program has a significant impact on the reliability, visibility, and reputation of a local business. It not only allows local businesses to enhance their online presence but also offers an opportunity to target global customers. 

Here are some points reflecting how the Google Local Guide Program uplifts local businesses in the competitive world. 

1. Enhancing Local Business Visibility on Google Maps 

Local Guides actively participate in the Google Local Guide Program, providing reviews, photos, and updates regarding local businesses. It increases the local business Google Maps listing, contributes to enhanced SEO, and provides immediate and effective results for the local business in Search Engines. It makes the local business flourish in the digital world. 

2. Increased Accuracy and Credibility 

Local Guides provides detailed information about the local business, such as the exact location, services, contact details, routes, and why you should consider visiting the place. This accuracy in information generates leads for the business and attracts several new customers. Besides, the reviews by local guides enhance the credibility of the business, contributing to gaining the customers’ trust. 

3. Keyword Richness 

Local guides often use certain keywords that add to the business and its services. For example, keywords like “pet-friendly” or “best place to visit” enhance the business ranking on search engines, allowing it to attract potential customers. 

4. Content Marketing 

Google needs regular content to visualize or reflect the business’s online presence. Reviews and updates made by local guides add regular or frequent content to local businesses, allowing them to build their online presence swiftly. 

Enhance Your Local Business Online Presence with Right Services 

Enhancing your local business’s online presence is a must to survive or compete in the market. A Google Local Guide Program allows you to enhance the visibility of your business, attract potential or high-paying customers, and significantly improve the reliability and credibility of your business. However, there are other effective ways like digital marketing and website development through which you can rapidly amplify the online presence of your local business. 

To make your local business flourish or to opt for high-value web development services, you can contact Foreignerds. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How can you write reviews or share your experiences in the Google Local Guide Program? 

To share your experience or write reviews, you need to visit Google Local Guide, select “get started,” and create an account. Afterward, you need to visit Google Maps, select the location you have visited, choose the option of “contribute,” start writing reviews, experience, and location details, and add photos if you want to. 

2. How many points do you get for writing reviews and uploading photos on the Goole Local Guide Program? 

You will get 10 points for each review and 5 points for each photo on Google. 

3. Can you add a new local business to the Google Maps? 

Yes, you can add a new local business to Google Maps through the Google Local Guide Program. 

4. How can a local business encourage a guide to review their location? 

Local businesses can encourage guides to review their location by providing effective services, explaining why writing a review is essential, and reminding them that tier review is precious for the business.  

5. How often should a local business check its updates on Google Maps? 

Local businesses should regularly check its updates on Google Maps. It will allow them to take adequate steps to enhance their online business presence. For example, they can update changes in contact details, check the reviews written by local guides, and manage SEO.