Reviews on Google Maps

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You’ve likely heard the saying, “If you want reviews, you gotta write reviews”—perhaps written in another writer’s newsletter. It never hurts to be reminded, and I admit I often remind myself. Picture this, pre-pandemic, I embarked on a journey, penning down my thoughts on eateries, inns, and attractions. Google Maps became my canvas.

What type of processor are you?

Let’s switch tracks momentarily. Are you the visual-processor type? You know, the kind who comprehends things better with visuals than reading the directions? For much of my life, I didn’t realize I was one of them. Here’s a scenario: If we’re in an unfamiliar town (not a Stephen King-esque ghost town, but ‘new-to-us’ unfamiliar), and you ask me to pick a place for dinner, chances are, I’ll whip out my smartphone, open the Google Maps app, hit the ‘Restaurants’ filter, and start scanning the eateries, their locations, and ratings.

To me, it’s as logical as butter on toast. But hey, not everyone shares my affinity for Google maps. Some folks gravitate towards Yelp or Facebook to aid in their decision-making, while others stick to the good ol’ method of scouting for a café with a jam-packed parking lot.

200,000 views and counting

Rest assured, I’m not claiming to be the Ernest Hemingway of reviews, but I’ve inscribed a considerable number of them—from the rustic streets of Italy to the vibrant landscapes of Sri Lanka, and even back home in Northern California. Recently, Google bestowed upon me the honor of informing me that my humble reviews have amassed over 200,000 views. Not quite the same as 200 reviews of my latest novel, but this has its own merit. And, if the adage holds true, my writing reviews for others will lead to people writing more reviews. One can hope.

Helping small businesses

I relish writing about small, family-run businesses, knowing they could use all the help they can get. Though I was a bit stingy with performance ratings during my managerial days, I am rather generous when handing out stars on Google.

However, there was this one instance, right after the dreaded lockdown was eased the first notch. I handed out a 1-star review, armed with scathing words, criticizing a restaurant’s blatant disregard for pandemic protocols. The place was nestled in a small, rural town, and most patrons probably harbored some outlandish views about Covid, but I felt my words were necessary. Yes, I could have made a swift exit as soon as I noticed the mask-less staff, but this restaurant held the only decent (no doubt pre-pandemic) rating in town.

Hitting the 200,000 views mark does have a certain appeal. Here’s to hoping we all contribute honest, objective reviews for the restaurants we frequent, the inns we lodge at, and the books we immerse ourselves in.

Do you write reviews and give 5-star ratings? Answers in comments below.