Podcasts Business Community Signal Rewarding the Local Guides That Make Google Maps More Useful

Rewarding the Local Guides That Make Google Maps More Useful

Published: Jan. 25, 2021, 10:30 a.m.

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If you have ever used Google to look up a restaurant you wanted to eat at or to research before visiting someplace new to you, you\\u2019ve probably depended on information contributed by a Local Guide.\\xa0Traci Cappiello\\xa0is the program manager at Google that makes sure those\\xa0Local Guides\\xa0feel engaged and empowered to provide helpful information to the world.

With 100 million people who have contributed through the Local Guides initiative, Traci and her 12 member team focus on the one-to-many interactions that happen on Local Guides Connect, the dedicated community space for those contributors. That includes creating online and in-person experiences that reward, uplift, and encourage the Local Guides. Traci shares the team\\u2019s approach to this work and some of the checks and balances in place to make sure that all of the content shared by Local Guides is trustworthy and accurate.\\xa0

Traci and Patrick discuss:

  • How the Local Guides met the challenge of sharing accessibility information on Google
  • The tools and teammates that support the Local Guide community
  • What\\u2019s the difference between a Local Guide and just someone posting reviews on Google?

Our Podcast is Made Possible By\\u2026

If you enjoy our show, please know that it\\u2019s only possible with the generous support of our sponsors:\\xa0Vanilla, a one-stop shop for online community and\\xa0Localist, plan, promote, and measure events for your community.

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Big Quotes

What\\u2019s the difference between a Local Guide and someone who writes Google reviews? (8:31): \\u201cAnyone can be a [Google] Local Guide. You don\\u2019t have to jump through any hoops. You literally just go to g.co/localguides and sign up for it. If you are already a Google Maps contributor, it will say, \\u2018Hey, do you want to join the Local Guides Program?\\u2019 The difference between a Local Guide designation on a review and a non-local guide is simply that this person has taken the step to say, \\u2018Hey, I want to be a part of this. I want to be a part of something different.\'\\u201d \\u2013@JumpingTraci

The biggest obstacle to contributing as a Local Guide (14:50):\\xa0\\u201cPeople don\\u2019t realize they\\u2019re violating our policies until they\\u2019ve already violated. Oftentimes, there\\u2019ll be folks who aren\\u2019t really malicious. There\\u2019s a small handful of people that can be malicious, at times at least, \\u2026 but I really think that for the most part it\\u2019s just [a] knowledge [gap].\\u201d \\u2013@JumpingTraci

Tailoring content to Google\\u2019s community and needs (32:22):\\xa0\\u201cWe encourage people to share original content that is tailored for the platform itself. There\\u2019s nothing wrong with excerpting. If you\\u2019ve already created a guide to 10 top places to go to in New York City; feel free to paste it over. If the crux of your posts or the intention is to just promote yourself, we\\u2019re not here for that.\\u201d \\u2013@JumpingTraci

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About Traci Cappiello

Traci Cappiello\\xa0joined Google in 2012, working on what is now\\xa0Local Guides, a program for the passionate Google Maps contributors helping the world to find the places worth discovering. Over the years, Traci has gone from managing hyperlocal activities to managing social channels with over one million followers to now focusing on designing delightful community experiences for her fellow Local Guides.

Traci\\u2019s current focus is engaging, connecting, and empowering this nearly 100 million strong community. She manages the community forum,\\xa0Local Guides Connect, as well as leading community support operations and\\xa0Connect Live, the team\\u2019s annual event for top community members.

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Transcript

Your Thoughts

If you have any thoughts on this episode that you\\u2019d like to share, please leave me a comment,\\xa0send me an email\\xa0or a\\xa0tweet. If you enjoy the show, we would be so grateful if you spread the word and supported\\xa0Community Signal on Patreon.

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