Question 1

What is findalocal and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

findalocal is a platform that connects curious travellers with passionate locals who want to share their city from an authentic, insider perspective. Once your profile is created and verified, you become visible to travellers from around the world who can browse your profile and send you a booking request for a private or group tour. Think of it as your personal platform to showcase your knowledge, personality and city — on your own terms.

Question 2

How do I become a local guide on findalocal?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is straightforward: Sign up at findalocal.com and create your profile. Add your location, languages, a bio, and high-quality photos. Set your hourly rate and availability. Submit your profile for verification. Once approved, you go live and travellers can find you.

Question 3

How long does profile verification take?

Accepted Answer

Verification typically takes 1–3 business days. We review your profile to ensure it meets our community standards. You'll receive an email notification once your profile is live.

Question 4

Does findalocal take a commission from my earnings?

Accepted Answer

No, findalocal does not take any commission from your tour earnings. Payment is agreed directly between you and the traveller — typically in cash or via bank transfer on the day of the tour.

Question 5

How can I make my profile more visible to travellers?

Accepted Answer

A strong profile makes a big difference. Here are the most effective ways to stand out: Write a detailed, warm and personal bio that reflects your personality. Upload high-quality, bright photos of yourself and your city using our guidelines. Highlight specific experiences, local spots or tours you can offer. Share your findalocal profile link on your social media. Proactively send offers to travellers visiting your city via the Trips section.

Question 6

How do I set my hourly rate?

Accepted Answer

Go to your profile settings and navigate to the Hourly Rate section. Your rate is entirely your decision — most locals base it on their experience, the types of activities they offer, local cost of living, and the going rate in their city. If you're unsure, browsing other local profiles in your city can give you a useful benchmark.

Question 7

Can I change or delete my profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can update your profile at any time from your account settings. To delete your profile, log in, go to Settings, and select the delete option from the menu on the left. Please note that deleting your profile is permanent and cannot be undone.

Question 8

What kind of photos / videos can I upload?

Accepted Answer

We encourage photos that reflect you authentically and professionally in the context of your city and tours. Photos taken outdoors, at local landmarks, or during activities are ideal. Photos that are unrelated to guiding are not permitted. When in doubt, ask yourself: does this photo show travellers what an experience with me would look like?

Question 9

What subscription plans are available for local guides?

Accepted Answer

findalocal offers three plans for locals: Basic — Free Plus — €9.99/month Premium — €29.99/month

Question 10

What is the difference between Plus and Premium?

Accepted Answer

Plus removes the message and offer limits of the free plan, making it ideal for active locals in a single city. Premium adds visibility — you appear higher in search results, get a Premium badge, can list multiple locations, and benefit from social media promotion by findalocal. It's designed for locals who want to maximise their bookings.

Question 11

Can I start for free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Basic plan is always free and lets you get started with up to 5 messages and 5 offers per month — enough to test the platform and receive your first bookings before committing to a paid plan.

Question 12

How do travellers contact me?

Accepted Answer

Travellers browse local profiles and send booking requests directly to you. You'll receive a notification and can then coordinate all details — timing, meeting point, activities — via the in-app messaging system.

Question 13

Can I reach out to travellers first?

Accepted Answer

Yes — through our Trips feature. This allows you to browse travellers who are currently in or planning to visit your city, and send them a personalised offer. If a traveller is interested, they can accept your offer and it becomes a confirmed booking. This is a great way to stay proactive and keep your schedule full.

Question 14

Where can I see my bookings and offers?

Accepted Answer

All your bookings, incoming requests, and outgoing offers can be found in the Trips section of your profile. Use the tabs to switch between open, confirmed, and past trips.

Question 15

What should I do if a traveller cancels at the last minute?

Accepted Answer

We understand this can be frustrating. We recommend agreeing on a deposit or partial payment upfront before the tour begins — this is standard practice and protects your time. After any completed or cancelled tour, please leave an honest review of the traveller to help the community.

Question 16

What is the AI Planner?

Accepted Answer

AI Planner is a feature available to travellers on findalocal. It allows them to generate a personalised day-by-day itinerary for their destination before their trip. Travellers may share this itinerary with you when making a booking request, as a way of communicating their interests and expectations.

Question 17

What should I do if a traveller shares an AI Planner itinerary with me?

Accepted Answer

Treat it as a helpful starting point for your conversation. The itinerary gives you a clear picture of what the traveller is hoping to experience — use it to personalise your tour offer, suggest alternatives, and make the experience feel truly tailored to them. You don't need to follow it exactly; it's a guide, not a fixed plan.

Question 18

How do I get reviews?

Accepted Answer

Reviews are generated from completed tours. The more tours you complete, the more reviews you can accumulate. After a tour is marked as complete, both you and the traveller will receive an email prompting you to leave a review.

Question 19

How do I leave a review for a traveller?

Accepted Answer

Once a tour is complete, you'll receive an email with a link to submit your review. Alternatively, go to the Trips section, select Past, find the relevant tour, and click to leave your review there.

Question 20

Can a review be removed?

Accepted Answer

Reviews can only be removed in exceptional circumstances, such as when they contain false information, violate our community guidelines, or relate to a dispute. If you believe a review should be removed, please contact our support team with full details and we will investigate.

Question 21

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Payment is handled directly between you and the traveller. The most common method is cash on the day of the tour. Bank transfer is also an option if both parties agree in advance. findalocal does not process or hold payments on your behalf.

Question 22

Does findalocal charge any fees or commissions?

Accepted Answer

No. findalocal does not charge locals any commission on tour earnings. Your subscription plan (if applicable) covers your access to platform features, but your tour income is entirely yours.

Question 23

What if I have a problem with a traveller?

Accepted Answer

Your safety and comfort are our priority. If you experience any issues with a traveller — including no-shows, inappropriate behaviour, or disputes — please contact our support team as soon as possible. We also encourage you to leave an honest review so the community stays informed. Collecting a deposit before tours begin is a practical way to reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations.

Question 24

How do I contact findalocal support?

Accepted Answer

You can reach our support team via the Contact Us page on findalocal.com. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 1–2 business days.

Question 25

Where can I learn more?

Accepted Answer

Visit us at findalocal.com or head to the Local’s Resources section for guides, tips and tools to help you thrive on the platform.

Local Guide Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Your Profile

Subscription Plans

Trips & Bookings

AI Planner

Reviews

Payments

Safety & Support