Jake loves learning from fellow Local Guides, especially when it comes to better understanding their personal experiences. Jake acknowledges that kinship has helped hone their photography and review skills to better serve the community. Jake believes his first-hand accounts can help visitors get the most out of their travels and help local businesses thrive.

What is your favorite place, experience, photo or video you contributed to Google Maps this year?
Last year I was photographing a nondescript building early in the morning on my way to work and was standing in the owner's parking spot as he was pulling in. He rightfully questioned what I was up to (who takes pictures of off-the-path buildings at 7am on a Saturday?), and we started chatting.

I asked about his business and he invited me to follow him — and his dog — in to check it out. Turns out that his company provides the booking and staging for most large scale sporting events in the U.S. It was a chance encounter that was amazing, all because I was trying to help out by getting his business more exposure on Google Maps.

What advice do you have for other Local Guides?
Be consistent and thorough. Anyone can leave a rating, or upload every photo they take to get easy points. Local Guides can help by providing details that rise above the casual user.

I suggest finding a niche that is exciting to you, it really helps to make contributing fun. If you love photography, share your best shots with the world. If you like trying new restaurants, then take some notes and create detailed reviews (though, I recommend giving a place a second chance before posting a bad review).

What do you like most about the Local Guides community?
I love seeing people all over the world so stoked about where they're from. Posts about home-town experiences, exploring new places within their own countries, or highlighting interesting things that are unique and special to their area are awesome to see. I also love how much energy and time some folks put into helping others be better Local Guides.

What makes a place or experience worth rating/reviewing?
To me, being a Local Guide means a bit more responsibility to be reasonable and appropriate when sharing experiences. Lending our status to a place carries some weight, so not leaving a review at all can be equally as impactful. However, if a place is misrepresenting itself online and an experience does not match expectations, that should be brought up in a thoughtful manner. I would rather focus on experiences and places that get me excited and hope I can help bring more attention to those places.

What is your favorite feature of Google Maps?
I'd have to say Street View tops the list. I don't personally contribute to it, but finding a detailed image at the top of a mountain that I wouldn't climb or just seeing ground level views of places I'd love to visit is awesome.

Want to learn more about this incredible Local Guide? Check out their contributions on Google Maps and follow them on Connect.