Google Local Guides

Google Local Guides are members of a program that Google has created that update the maps and reviews for local businesses and places. To become a Google Local Guide one must have reviewed and added pictures to enough places to earn points to get the distinction.

Google has levels to the guide program, the more points the higher the level. I am currently a level seven Google Local Guide. The reason why one would want to be a guide is that your weight is heavier when it comes to reviewing businesses and the qualification of reviews.

For example, if a bad review comes into a business that is not justified, the only way to get it removed is to flag it. When a typical user or a brand new user flags a review it will usually not be taken down.

However, when a high ranking Google Guide flags an erroneous review, it usually will be taken down. So there’s advantages to becoming a Local Guide. There is no cost to participate in the program and it is as easy as reviewing places that you visit such as restaurants and stores.

The system really likes when you take a picture and add it to the review as well and this can give you more points in the system.

And they give you socks! Who doesn’t love a free pair of custom socks? (:

Have a question about the Google Guide program? I’d be glad to share with you my experiences if you drop a link on my contact page!

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Written by: Jophiel Silvestrone

Jophiel Silvestrone has written 326 posts in the Tech Blog.

Jophiel grew up on a ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana near Chico Hot Springs. Working on the ranch instilled work ethic and self motivation. Filled with this drive, Jophiel started mowing the local school's yards twice a month throughout the summers, at the age of 12. He moved to Billings in 2004, where he has been deeply involved in the local business community ever since. A serial entrepreneur, Jophiel has ran multiple businesses in our local community. The first business, a janitorial and carpet cleaning company, founded in 2005, has employed over 50 locals. Moving on to the media industry, Jophiel and several partners founded Green Directory Montana in the spring of 2007. Green Directory's sustainability ranking software awarded points based on sustainable or "green" actions. These points counted towards a business's total "Green Score," which in turn ranked them against other businesses in their category and throughout the entire site. It also featured a limited edition print version distributed annually. A business acquisition allowed Jophiel to focus on new projects, and a few close business colleagues and Jophiel started Rocky Mountain Mr. & Ms. Magazine, a lifestyle publication for men and women in the Magic City. After a year and a half at the helm of RM3 Magazine, the business was purchased. He now runs a web development company SkyPoint Studios and fathers his son Jaoquin, who plays football, basketball, soccer, and is learning snowboarding from his dad. Recently, has expanded to locations in Havasu, Arizona & Vegas. SkyPoint Studios is a market leader in both Billings & Havasu and Jophiel is working on building that same level of market dominance in Vegas. Specialties: Extensive experience in online and offline business. Especially savvy at WordPress, and operate several sites, one example is the blog: skypointwebdesignbillingsmontana.com/tech-blog. Check out skypointwebdesignbillingsmontana.com for the latest projects from SkyPoint Studios.