Google announced today that it has launched the Regional Expert Reviewer program fro Google Map Maker.

If you’re unfamiliar with Google Map Maker, it’s an offering from the company, with which users can add their own knowledge areas to improve Google Maps.

With the new program, mappers Google deems “distinguished” get increased reviewing capabilities within their state, country or region of expertise.

“Our Regional Expert Reviewers earned their appointed positions by making an impressive number of high quality contributions to Google’s base map, and by actively participating with Google and other mappers on our Map Your World discussion forums,” explains Google Map Maker software engineer Robin Anil. “Much as Google reviewers are differentiated by a ‘G’ icon next to their username in Google Map Maker, you can recognize a Regional Expert Reviewer by an ‘R’ icon next to his or her username when they review your edits. These moderators are located all around the world, and the Map Maker team is thrilled to be working alongside such expert mappers to ensure our quality of reviews remain high in our ongoing effort to build better maps.”

“Map Maker is rooted in the belief that local knowledge is essential to creating accurate maps, this is the very reason we put mapping in users’ hands,” says Anil. “They can be reassured that their edits may be reviewed by other locals who are familiar with their area and are invested in the quality of mapping around their community. Additionally, all Map Maker contributors can, at any time, review and comment on the edits in their communities. After all, contributors know their neighborhood better than anyone else. Now, their reviewers can, too.”

More information about how to use Map Maker can be found here.