Editing Google Maps (section)

=== Google Local Guides ===
Google Local Guides is a volunteer program launched by Google Maps<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Guides |url=https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408220601/https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Google}}</ref> to enable users to contribute to Google Maps when registered. It sometimes provides them additional perks and benefits for their collaboration. Users can achieve Level 1 to 10, and be awarded with badges. The program is partially a successor to [[Google Map Maker]] as features from the former program became integrated into the website and app.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/mapmaker/answer/7195127|title=Google Map Maker has closed|website=Google Map Maker help|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619155044/http://www.google.com/mapmaker?ll=63.303775,-20.601959&spn=0.021517,0.065918&t=h&z=14&lyt=large_map_v3&hyaw=136.090660347804|url-status=live}}</ref>

The program consists of adding reviews, photos, basic information, and videos; and correcting information such as [[Accessibility|wheelchair accessibility]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/google-maps-local-guides-programme-to-get-video-reviews-1750856|title=Google Testing Video Reviews in Maps|work=NDTV Gadgets360.com|access-date=June 20, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024222717/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/google-maps-local-guides-programme-to-get-video-reviews-1750856|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slashgear.com/google-calls-on-local-guides-to-add-wheelchair-info-to-maps-07498741/|title=Google calls on Local Guides to add wheelchair info to Maps|date=2017-09-07|work=SlashGear|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-US|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026164235/https://www.slashgear.com/google-calls-on-local-guides-to-add-wheelchair-info-to-maps-07498741/|url-status=live}}</ref> Adding reviews, photos, videos, new places, new roads or providing useful information gives points to the users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southern |first=Matt G. |date=2022-05-13 |title=Google Local Guides Program: How To Earn Points & Badges |url=https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-local-guides-program-adds-new-levels-new-perks/202294/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Search Engine Journal |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121143048/https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-local-guides-program-adds-new-levels-new-perks/202294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The level of users is upgraded when they get a certain amount of points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Guides |url=https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=maps.google.com |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207000829/https://maps.google.com/localguides |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="support.google.com">{{Cite web |title=Points, levels, and badging - Local Guides Help |url=https://support.google.com/local-guides/answer/6225851?hl=en&ref_topic=6225845 |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121143048/https://support.google.com/local-guides/answer/6225851?hl=en&ref_topic=6225845 |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting with Level 4, a star is shown near the avatar of the user.<ref name="support.google.com"/>