Google Photos
Photos uploaded to Google Photos do not count towards your Local Guides level and are separate from your Google Maps photos. It's possible to share your Google Photos to Maps. Photos you've added to Google Maps can be backed up in Google Photos if you have enabled auto-backup on your mobile device.
Panoramic photos
Panoramic photos and photos uploaded via the Street View app must be linked to a point of interest or a business on Google Maps in order to count towards Local Guides points.