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Google has quietly launched a new local program called Google City Experts. They announced it on their Google Local New York Google+ page.
In short, it gives those who are active Google Maps reviewers, i.e. users with at least 50 high quality reviews, and at least 5 reviews in the current month, special perks like event invitations, custom swag, special access to contests and more.
You can apply to be a "Google City Expert" over here.
Google said those that are accepted get access to:
- Access to fun, exclusive events in their local areas
- Free custom swag
- Special online recognition
I guess this will help encourage good reviewers to review more.
Forum discussion at Google+.
Comments:
Ranu Jain
07/31/2013 01:02 pm
Well, would it contribute in rankings or SEO? Seems like Google is giving weightage to all these things
Barry Ricks
07/31/2013 03:42 pm
Well people do love free stuff. I sure do.
TheeDesign Studio
07/31/2013 04:15 pm
I wonder what special online recognition will involve? Kind of like Authorship markups? Anyway, it sounds like a good idea for Google to help engage users and increase reviews. They are trying to create a program similar to Yelp's Elite Squad. And of course, as with anything Google does, it will be interesting to see its effects on SEO.
jimster
07/31/2013 05:52 pm
They should fix all the problems they have with Google Places, Google+ Local, etc. before adding more things.