Frequently asked questions

The Google Developer Experts (GDE) program is a global developer community of over 1,000 highly experienced professionals who are recognized for their expertise in Google technologies. These dedicated individuals actively support the global developer ecosystems by speaking at events, creating high-quality technical content, hosting workshops, and mentoring their peers. While not Google employees, GDEs partner closely with Google product teams to provide critical feedback, gain early access to emerging tools, and help shape the future of technology.

Google Developer Experts have a variety of diverse backgrounds. They are developers, founders, activists, and so much more. The one thing they have in common is that they're passionate professionals with expertise in Google technology who enjoy continuous learning, sharing knowledge, and making an impact on the community.

Eligibility criteria:

• Solid expertise in an area featuring Google technology such as Android, Google Cloud, Machine Learning, Web and more. You do not need a formal education to be considered for the GDE program.
• Display significant contributions in the developer community, including but not limited to, speaking at events, publishing content, mentoring other developers and companies.
• Ability to articulate clearly and provide meaningful advice to others.
• Must be 18+ years old.
• Ability to interview and communicate in English as it's the official language of the program.

The benefits of joining the Google Developer Experts community include, but are not limited to:

• Access to speaking and networking opportunities.
• Invitations to Google-run events.
• Early access to new products and features.
• Featured in the GDE directory.

GDE membership is reviewed annually. Staying active and maintaining regular contributions is key to having your title prolonged.

• Create Content: Share their deep technical knowledge with the developer community through podcasts, webinars, video tutorials, blog posts, articles, books, software creation, and/or forum participation.
• Speak at Events: Attend relevant conferences, seminars, and events, and engage with other attendees by hosting sessions, conducting informal meet-ups and networking.
• Host Workshops: Facilitate workshops, guiding participants through activities and discussions to help them actively learn and achieve specific objectives, rather than simply lecturing.
• Give Product Feedback: Maintain a close relationship with product teams and provide their feedback, feature requests and/or report bugs.
• Mentor others: Lead technology related groups & communities including GDG chapters, participate in meetups, hackathons and hangouts, advise/mentor technology companies & startups, and are well known developers in their local communities.

GDEs sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) so that Google product teams can safely share unreleased announcements and confidential product roadmaps before they are made public. This trusted agreement allows Experts to participate in exclusive early access programs, giving them the insight needed to provide vital feedback and prepare community content to educate developers for the official launch.

To accurately reflect the broad landscape of Google's products and technology, the Google Developer Experts program is organized into four specialized pillars: Cloud, AI, Web and Mobile. Within each pillar, members are able to specialize in one or more categories.

This structure allows us to properly recognize the deep, varying technical expertise of our members while ensuring the global developer community can easily connect with the right specialists for their specific needs.

To join the Google Developer Experts program, you need to be referred by a Google employee or an active GDE.

If you're interested, reach out to your local Google contact and/or an active GDE to discuss your eligibility.

First you will be asked to fill out an application form. You can find more information in the section: What information do I need to provide?

If your application is positively reviewed, you will be matched with a Googler for a product interview. The interviewer will mainly focus on your technical knowledge and expertise. No need to stress out - you've got this! Remember this is not a job interview, but rather a conversation with someone who is just as passionate about technology as you are.

Regardless of the result you will be informed about the application process decision.

The application form will ask about your experience, community contributions and your motivation to join the program. Make sure to fill out the form carefully and to showcase your impact and contributions for a prolonged period of time (ideally, at least 2 years) in the technical area you apply for.

Successful GDE candidates have a long track record of public speaking at technical events and/or creating technical content. You may also mention any events you've organized, but please note, if your community contributions are primarily organizing events, you may not be eligible for the GDE program.

Make sure that the activities you include are related to the product category you are applying for.

If you don't get accepted to the program, review the eligibility criteria and keep helping the developer community as a speaker, content creator and/or open source contributor. It's helpful to keep links or screenshots of the content you created. If you haven't done any public speaking or content creation - start today! You can always re-apply in the future. The application window reopens six months following your initial submission.

If you passed all the steps of the application process, then congratulations and welcome to the Google Developer Experts community! You will soon be contacted by us with more information about program benefits and your local points of contact at Google.

The Google Developer Experts (GDE) and Google Developer Groups (GDG) programs, which are part of Google Developer Communities, connect a global community of experts and developers. These communities serve as a platform to enable developers to share knowledge, collaborate, provide mentorship and enhance their skills, and educate their communities on the latest Google products and technologies.

By joining a Google Developer Community, members agree to uphold the community Code of Conduct and ensure a harassment-free and inclusive environment. Google reviews all concerns and may take appropriate action, including removal from the program, for breaches of these guidelines.

All community members must abide by the following policy and:

• Be excellent to each other. Treat everyone with respect and acknowledge that everyone deserves to enjoy their experience without fear of harassment or discrimination.
• Speak up. If you see or hear something, politely engage or contact event staff immediately. Harassment is not tolerated, and event organizers may take appropriate action, including expelling offenders.
• Harassment is not tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: offensive verbal language, sexual imagery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassment in photography or recording, sustained disruption of events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
• Practice saying "Yes and" to each other. Build on each other's ideas and create together.

If you need to report a concern, please contact community-concerns@google.com.