DRAFT ONLY
Understanding the editing community
This page discusses the “ranks” or “levels” held by Waze Map Editors, which forms a part of the editing permissions system. See the USA page which goes into detail on the points and levels obtained within the Waze app.
The terms “rank” and “level” are often used interchangeably and thus both are listed here. Herein, this article will use the term level.
Your editing level increases based on your editing count, as your editing level grows, so do your permissions and editing abilities. These are discussed further below.
What's the difference between a change and an edit?
In the Waze Map Editor (WME), any change is counted by the counter on the Save button in the top right corner. A change is not the same as an edit. A change is any action that can be undone with the undo button. For example, if you select 10 segments at one time, correct the spelling of the name on all 10 segments, and select Apply, the change counter will increase by one. Why? Because you made one single, undo-able change. If you change one segment by moving 10 geometry points around a curve, each time you drag and drop a geometry point, that is a change and the change counter increases because you can undo each of these actions.
In the first example, those 10 segments changed all at once will get you credit for 10 edits. In the second example, those 10 changes will get you credit for 1 edit. In the first, you changed 10 different objects. In the second, you changed only a single object.
As a final, extreme example: if you update an existing long segment, give it a new name, change the city, change the road type, the direction, the lock level and elevation, then adjust the location of 100 geometry points, the save counter may show 160 changes. When you save, that is counted as a single edit to that segment.
Editing level promotions
Level promotions are evaluated based on a combination of related factors including:
- Suspicious or damaging edits
- Edit count
- Proper etiquette in communication
- Editing quality and finish
- Editing skill and knowledge
- Community involvement
- Mentoring participation.
These factors are weighted differently at different promotion levels. Promotion to levels 2 and 3 often focus more on knowledge, skill, and quality of edits (with edit count used as a proxy). Promotion to level 4 and above often requires more communication, community involvement, mentoring, and leadership.
Edit count therefore is of diminishing importance to promotion at higher levels. If one edits with the requisite skill and communicates with integrity and etiquette, and other level-associated criteria are satisfied, one may be promoted before achieving the listed edit count for a given level. Conversely, a lack of effective editing practices with quality edits and proper decorum, promotion may not occur even after one has achieved the listed edit count.
The Formal Mentoring program is a great tool to help you learn the skills and knowledge you will need to be eligible for a rank promotion. Get in touch with your state manager before you are eligible and have a discussion about where you need to focus to become eligible for the promotion.
If you feel that you might be eligible for a level promotion, review the above list of factors, reflect on your progress, and contact one of the Local Champs <> to initiate a review and the promotion process. Promotions aren't the decision of a single Local Champ, but are discussed amongst all Local Champs.
Editing level demotions
In rare occasions, editors may be ‘level locked' or demoted backwards if the editor no longer meets the requirements to hold a specific level. For example, a level 4 editor stopping their community involvement and mentoring, and/or editing quality no longer meets mapping standards, may find their level adversely affected.
Editing level specifics
| Badge | Editing Level | Suggested Edit Count | Editable Area Radius | Unlocked Waze Mood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New users |
1 | 0 plus | 1 mile | All users start in this group. | |
 Beginner editors |
2 | 3,000 plus | 2 miles | 
|
Editors with 3,000 edits may be automatically promoted to level 2 subject to the above promotion criteria. |
 Proficient editors |
3 | 25,000 plus | 3 miles | 
|
Editors with 25,000 edits may be automatically promoted to level 3 subject to the above promotion criteria.
This level is often held by area and state managers. |
 Advanced editors |
4 | 100,000 plus | 4 miles | Level 4 will require a request to and review by Local Champs before approval. Requires more community involvement, mentoring and leadership.
This level is often held by area, state and country managers. | |
 Expert editors |
5 | 250,000 plus | 4 miles | 
|
Level 5 will require a request to and review by Local Champs before approval. Requires more community involvement, mentoring and leadership.
This level is often held by country managers and champs. |
Waze Champs |
6 | N/A | Country Wide | Local Champs lead and manage whole-country communities, forming the leadership team.
Global Champs must be nominated, approved by staff and the international Global Champ community. This level is often held by champs. | |
 Waze Staff |
7 | N/A | Global | This level is only held by Waze staff. |
Community roles
Our editing community is made up of volunteers who keep it running smoothly. Volunteers fulfil different roles and specialise in specific areas of editing.
Map editor
The Waze map is crowd-sourced, user edited and open to anyone who wants to contribute. Any Waze user can become a map editor by logging into the Waze Map Editor (WME). All map editors start at level 1, and can then progress through the ladder of ranks and roles as they gain experience, learn the intricacies of WME and map editing, and become involved in the community.
New editors to Australia should check out our onboarding page () to start learning the basics.
Managers
All of our managers are selfless volunteers who work together with the community and management team to improve and protect the Waze map. Managers need to be active and contactable to hold the role in order to assist the community, and are expected to mentor and lead others. All managers play an active role in proactively contributing to, and protecting the map from damage.
Area Manager
Area Managers (AM) are map editors who volunteer to take an active role in maintaining specific areas of the Waze map. A selected area of the map is added to their “editable area”, regardless of if they have driven there recently, as long as they are active as an AM.
To be granted AM status, editors need to be active in the community, follow the rules, have a good understanding of mapping standards, and approaching, if not already, level 3. Editors can apply for AM at this link <>.
State Manager
State Managers (SM) have an editing area that extends to an entire state or territory. In addition, they are community leaders who assist in guiding new editors, mentoring, assisting with locks/unlocks, and contributing to policy decisions for their state and country. It is a large job, and they depend on the support from their area managers.
Country Manager
Country Managers (CM) have an editing area that extends to the entire country. In addition, they are community leaders who assist in guiding new editors, mentoring, assisting with locks/unlocks, and contributing to policy decisions for the country. It is a massive job, and they depend on the support from area and state managers.
Champs
Champs are editors, selected by Waze management, that show long-standing contributions to the Waze community. Their role isn't just about editing skills, but they play a major role in community development and management. They set and enforce rules and standards in order to protect the map and community.
Local Champ
Local Champs (LC) are part of a specific country's community leadership. Typically an editor must first be a Country Manager for some time before being eligible to become a Local Champ. Waze will select the most senior and skilled editors in any active editing region to become Local Champs. Once Local Champs are selected for a region, they will have the authority to nominate and approve more Local Champs for their region.
Coordinator
Country Coordinators are champs who coordinate between the local community and Waze Team, as community ambassadors. A coordinator's main responsibilities are:
- Participating in both global and local champs' groups, and being in direct contact with the relevant Waze community managers
- Advise about the urgency and the severity of any reported issue
- Advocate on behalf of the community
- Be aware of the company news, product announcements, new versions etc.
- Assist with social media activities in the country
- Take part in the setup of editors meetups.
Global Champ
Global Champs (GC) are part of the world community leadership of Waze. Typically an editor must first be a Local Champ for some time before being eligible to become a Global Champ.
GCs are active within the community (forums and Discord), engage in cross-community collaboration with other countries, represent their local community on a global platform, act as a connection between their community and Waze staff, sustain the wellbeing and health of communities, and demonstrate adept product proficiency. Wondering what a GC does in a week? Check out this forum post. <>
Product Expert
Product Experts (PE) are very experienced community members that assist Waze users and the public to address questions on the Waze Community Support platform. <https://support.google.com/waze/community>
Beta Tester
On top of the Waze app and services to the public users, Waze is also constantly working on improvements through their beta program. Beta testers get early access to new updates and features, have a voice in providing product feedback, and are a part of the exclusive beta community. You can join the Waze app betas including the routing beta server (RBS) by following the instructions on the Waze Beta Site <https://sites.google.com/view/beta-landing/home>.
Waze App, CarPool and Routing
Learn more about joining the Waze app and CarPool beta testing experiences on this website <https://sites.google.com/view/beta-landing/home>.
WME Beta Tester
Waze also has a beta program for the Waze Map Editor (WME) which is managed by the community. If you are a level 3 editor or above in Australia, you can request to join the WME Beta program by asking in the #role-requests channel is Discord <>, or by contacting a Local Champ. Admission into the program is at the discretion of our Local Champs.
Localiser
Localisers use language to make the app experience feel native to our Australian app users. A small team of localisers support the project to make sure Waze feels Aussie.
New editor coordinator
The new editor coordinator is a unique role to Australia, and they're one of the first people you might hear from after you start mapping here. They'll welcome you and help induct you into the map editing experience and help answer all your questions!
Event Marshal
Our marshal team...
Closure team
Social media team
Toll project team
Beacons team
Partner Coordinator
Community Booster
Beta Leaders / Suggestion Moderators
The following table briefly describes our most common, as well as specialist, roles.