If you’re one of those people who are scouting for a new home for their data now that Microsoft is reining in on those it deems to have abused its generous offer to OneDrive users and the 5 GB Microsoft is giving you instead of more is not enough then we have some good news for you: Google has 1 terabyte worth of free Google Drive storage waiting. You just need to be willing to provide it with some data in the form of reviews.
Google’s recent update to Maps brings with it expanded access to Local Guides, its feature that allows users to add relevant information about places within their vicinity to Maps so that it is useful to visitors and other people who may not necessarily know the place. One of the perks of opting in to review places around you as a local guide is free 1 terabyte storage on Google Drive if you manage to review just enough places to get to level four.
Here’s the complete list of the perks you stand to get every time you upload a photo of a place, add a new place, update information about a place or answer questions about a place:
- Level 1 (0 – 4 points): Enter exclusive contests (think new Google devices!) in select countries.
- Level 2 (5 – 49 points): Get early access to new Google products and features.
- Level 3 (50 – 199 points): Show up in the Google Maps app with your official Local Guides badge.
- Level 4 (200 – 499 points): Receive a free 1 TB upgrade of your Drive storage, allowing you to keep all the stories, photos, and videos from your travels in one safe place.
- Level 5 (500+ points): The very top Local Guides will become eligible to apply to attend our inaugural summit in 2016, where you’ll be able to meet other top Guides from around the world, explore the Google campus, and get the latest info about Google Maps. Look out for details early next year.
Before you start planning on what you’re going to do with all that free storage space once you get it, you need to opt-in first and make sure you have the latest version of Maps on your mobile device for on the go reviewing.
