Rewards for Reviews

Think about how many online reviews you’ve read or written over the past year.

Maybe you’re not the type of person to write reviews, or maybe you do write one after every new business experience you encounter. Whichever type you are, imagine if you could get rewarded with each review you write – does that change anything?

The Local Guide Program is a new effort from Google to help increase reviews by rewarding local reviewers with each level they unlock.

This program is similar to Yelp’s Elite Squad that started back in 2005. Yelp Elite Squad members earn badges and invites to exclusive parties. Similarly, the latest Google Maps app, Local Guides, rewards their members, or “guides,” as Google calls them, as they move up through their rewards level.

For example, when you reach level three with more than fifty reviews, you will, according to Google:

  • Get highlighted in the Google Maps app with a Local Guides badge
  • Join a private Google+ community
  • Apply to moderate Local Guides Google+ Communities
  • In select cities, get invites to exclusive events

However, Google isn’t just stepping back and letting it all unfold without keeping an eye on it. They strongly encourage local guides to be “good citizens” in their How to Act directive:

  • Make Your Mark – Local Guides share the unique ways they experience their worlds. Every word, photo, and video is a first-hand look into their personalities and interests—and they’re proud of that!
  • Be a Good Citizen -They write reviews to help others, not to get free stuff or special treatment. They support the Local Guides community, and offer constructive reviews to help their communities, too.
  • Take a Fair and Balanced Approach – If it’s a new place still finding its footing, Local Guides give it a second chance. If they’re not crazy about a spot, they write a constructive review to help improve its offerings or services.
  • Surface the little-known facts – Thanks to Local Guides, people can get the little details it would normally take years to discover. They ask themselves, “If I were reading this, what would I want to know?”

By putting this program into effect, Google is demonstrating how strongly they still feel about the importance of reviews. Using an incentive program and having guidelines for Local Guides to abide by could be a great way to generate more and better quality online reviews. Personally, I rely on reviews for everything from the hair salon to the car repair shop, and find them very important in making my decisions.

Do you use reviews to guide you? Perhaps your next move is to become a Local Guide yourself!

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