The document discusses problems with the gamification elements of the Google Local Guides program and proposes solutions. It notes that the point and badge systems are too simple, the badges are not visually impressive, and there is a lack of engagement loops and endgame elements. It suggests adding ways to earn points from user-defined places, upgrading badges to frames that represent different levels, including a leaderboard to drive friendly competition, making the scoring system more complex based on quality, and introducing challenges to keep users engaged beyond level 5. The goal is to better immerse users in the "game" and recognize different player types.

1. Google local guides review
Kalev Kärpuk
https://medium.com/@kalev.karpuk

2. Why is Gamification implemented?
 Being a local guide gives people a unique status
which can be achieved through Gamification.

3. Points
• Linear
• Does not support different player types
• Everything has the same value
• Easy to „farm“

4. Badge
• Achieving a status at level 3 does not correlate to the
level of difficulty to achieve this status.
• Everything after level 3 becomes that much more
irrelevant.
• The badge itself is not visually impressive

5. Benefits
• Well focused towards intrinsic rewards
• Gives „Something out of nothing“ at level 4
• Nothing happening after level 5

6. Problem #1
• Users are not immersed in the ‘game
• GLG offers to review only those places you have
been in recent days
• There is no engagement loop

7. Solution
 Offer a way to earn points from user defined
places
 Add a module which allows the user to search for a
place that they want to review.
 Write review > Get points > Think of a new place to
write a review of > Write review.

8. Problem #2:
 Status badge is not visually impressive
 Others should notice the badge and wonder “Where
did he get it?”
 Doesn’t represent anything special

9. Solution
 Replace badge with a frame.
 Doesn’t conceal any part of a profile picture while still
maintaining a unique flavor.
 Can easily be upgraded based on the user level.

10. Problem #3:
 Lack of a leaderboard
 Potential to drive engagement.
 Friendly competition and social recognition will work
towards reaching a recognized status.

11. Solution
 Add a well designed leaderboard*
 Who has the most useful reviews? The best local
guides in this specific area?
 Businesses creating thorough reviews just to get more
coverage and credibility
 *Bad example below:

12. Problem #4
 Linear point system
 Offers several ways to cheat the system
 Perfect example of just applying PBL’s and waiting
for results.

13. Solution
 Create more depth and complexity to the
scoring system.
 Scoring based on the quality of the review or views
of a picture.
 Cumulative bonus score
 Make users care about points

14. Problem #5
 No endgame
 How is GLG keeping the users engaged beyond level
5?
 Holding a high status is interesting only so long.

15. Solution
 Create daily/weekly/monthly challenges
 For example “Most restaurant pictures added to
reviews(Weekly)”
 Level requirement to enter to ensure the quality