Make Your Business Visible Through Google Local Guide Program

If you run a business, you know reviews and fresh content are the pillars of success. If

you work extra hours promoting your business. Then, you want to spend a few hours on

creating new blog articles, creating social media posts. And, making promotional videos

to keep your audience engaged. But you may not have heard about a more passive

promotion method that keeps your business growing, and enhances your local search

results. It is called the Google Local Guide Program.

Google Local Guides also known as Google Guides started from where Google Cities

quit. If you have little knowledge about it, its near resemblance is the Yelp! Elite Squad.

Google Guides lets users add reviews and additional promo materials, and in return,

gets various perks such as storage space, to clothing.

Google Guides is Established On User Generated Content

The premises in which Google Guides is established are simply user-generated content

(UGC) to fortify the information found on Google Maps. Content generated by the

guides helps boost your business’s visibility. Saying it in another way, consumers can

easily get the information they need. Becoming a Local Guide doesn’t take much. To join Guides you just have to sign up through your Google account, choose the location, and you’re done. All the new and old members of the Google Guides community are awarded points for each action they

take. The Guides accumulate more and more points, working their way up through 10

levels, earning perks all along.

List Building

When Guides attain level four, they are allowed to add lists. These lists can be about

their favorite places, destinations the guide desires to visit, & saved locations. On

expected lines, each list added by the Guide must fulfill certain guidelines. To qualify for

publication, Google says a Guide’s list must:

• Comprise a title
• Have no less than four places
•  It should be shared publicly.
  
  

The Perks Gained

One of the most appealing aspects of Google Local Guide Program for its members is

the perks. Although they are subject to change frequently, some of the incentives

include:

•  Priority access to newly launched Google products,
•  Access to the trial version of music before launch,
• Video services at discount rates,
•  More storage space,
•  Perks offered by Google’s partners,
• Subscriptions to online newspapers
• Clothing, including t-shirts and socks

Some special perks are also given such as invitations to the Google Guides convention

or Connect Live events. These perks are given to a few selected community members.

In addition, an active online forum is run that is meant to galvanize the community

feeling. And allow guides to share tips, favorite pictures, and valuable information.

Increase Business Visibility

With every other consumer going online to search for local businesses and increased

mobile search, online visibility is critical for a business. Here, the content Google Guides

compile can contribute to your business and potentially help your local search rankings.

The Final Word

Although Google Guides and Google My Business are separate programs, they are

interrelated, as both provide information for Google Maps. The more detailed

information about your business on Google Maps, the higher the chances of consumers

finding you online.