A Google Developers Expert (GDE) is a person recognized by Google as having exemplary expertise in Google Developer and open-source technologies and products. GDEs are awarded by membership in the Google Developers Experts program, established and administered by Google. GDEs have a tenure of one year which can be extended upon continuous active contribution to the developer and open source community of that product. A Google Developers Expert cannot be a Google employee whilst a member of the program. GDEs are not permitted to "make any statements on behalf of Google or any Google company" and be clear that any opinions are not those of Google. As of June 2023, according to the GDE program website, there were more than 1,000 people with this designation. In 2023, Google expanded the GDE program to include more specialized tracks, such as Google Assistant and Google Pay, to recognize experts in emerging Google technologies. In 2024, the GDE community has become more globally diverse, with a growing number of experts from Asia, Africa, and Latin America joining the program.