Editing Google Maps (section)

== History ==

=== Acquisitions ===
Google Maps first started as a [[C++]] program designed by two Danish brothers, [[Lars Rasmussen (software developer)|Lars]] and [[Jens Eilstrup Rasmussen]], and Noel Gordon and Stephen Ma, at the Sydney-based company Where 2 Technologies, which was founded in early 2003. The program was initially designed to be separately downloaded by users, but the company later pitched the idea for a purely Web-based product to Google management, changing the method of distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/google-mapper-take-browsers-to-the-limit/|title=Google mapper: Take browsers to the limit|publisher=CNET|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026035210/http://news.cnet.com/Google-mapper-Take-browsers-to-the-limit/2100-1038_3-5808658.html|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> In October 2004, the company was acquired by Google Inc.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/17/google-sergey-brin|title=Secrets of a nimble giant|last=Kiss|first=Jemima|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=October 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219023109/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/jun/17/google-sergey-brin|archive-date=February 19, 2014|url-status=live|publisher=Guardian|location=London}}</ref> where it transformed into the web application Google Maps. The Rasmussen brothers, Gordon and Ma joined Google at that time.

In the same month, Google acquired [[Google Earth#History|Keyhole]], a geospatial data visualization company (with investment from the [[CIA]]), whose marquee application suite, Earth Viewer, emerged as the [[Google Earth]] application in 2005 while other aspects of its core technology were integrated into Google Maps.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/28/google_buys_keyhole/|title=Google buys CIA-backed mapping startup|last=Orlowski|first=Andrew|date=October 28, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211040159/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/28/google_buys_keyhole/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|url-status=live|publisher=[[The Register]]|author-link=Andrew Orlowski}}</ref> In September 2004, Google acquired ZipDash, a company that provided real-time traffic analysis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconbeat.com/entries/2005/03/30/google_acquires_traffic_info_startup_zipdash.html|title=Google acquires traffic info start-up Zipdash|first=Michael|last=Bazeley|date=March 30, 2005|work=SiliconBeat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102125451/http://www.siliconbeat.com/entries/2005/03/30/google_acquires_traffic_info_startup_zipdash.html|archive-date=January 2, 2008|url-status=dead |access-date=January 8, 2008}}</ref>

=== 2005–2010 ===
[[File:Google Maps Beta.png|thumb|Google Maps Beta in 2005]]
The launch of Google Maps was first announced on the Google Blog on February 8, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/02/mapping-your-way.html|title= Mapping your way |date= February 8, 2005 |first1=Bret |last1=Taylor |publisher=Official Google Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525190011/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/02/mapping-your-way.html |archive-date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=live|access-date=January 12, 2010}}</ref>

In September 2005, in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]], Google Maps quickly updated its satellite imagery of [[New Orleans]] to allow users to view the extent of the flooding in various parts of that city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17880969|title=Google accused of airbrushing Katrina history|date=March 30, 2007|publisher=NBC News |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103150201/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17880969|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/search/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198701867 |first1= Thomas |last1=Claburn |title=Google Restores Katrina's Scars To Google Earth|date=April 2, 2007|publisher=Information Week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819110834/http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/search/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198701867|archive-date=August 19, 2009|url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of 2007, Google Maps was equipped with a miniature view with a draggable rectangle that denotes the area shown in the main viewport, and "Info windows" for previewing details about locations on maps.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Google Maps |title=Google Maps User Guide|url=http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=68259#overview|access-date=2021-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105004439/http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=68259#overview|archive-date=November 5, 2007}}</ref> As of 2024, this feature had been removed (likely several years prior).
[[File:175-free-google-maps-pointer.svg|left|thumb|106x106px|Original Google Maps icon]]
On November 28, 2007, Google Maps for Mobile 2.0 was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://googlepress.blogspot.no/2007/11/google-announces-launch-of-google-maps_28.html|title=Google Announces Launch of Google Maps for Mobile With "My Location" Technology|date=November 28, 2007|website=News from Google|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060108/http://googlepress.blogspot.no/2007/11/google-announces-launch-of-google-maps_28.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Marshall-2007">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2007/11/28/google-releases-killer-my-location-feature-for-cellphones/|title=Google releases useful "my location" feature for cellphones|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=November 28, 2007|website=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=April 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205258/https://venturebeat.com/2007/11/28/google-releases-killer-my-location-feature-for-cellphones/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Schonfeld-2007">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2007/11/28/google-mobile-maps-pinpoints-your-location-without-gps/|title=Google Mobile Maps PinPoints Your Location Without GPS|last=Schonfeld|first=Erick|date=November 28, 2007|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426055735/https://techcrunch.com/2007/11/28/google-mobile-maps-pinpoints-your-location-without-gps/|url-status=live}}</ref> It featured a [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta version]] of a "My Location" feature, which uses the GPS / [[Assisted GPS]] location of the mobile device, if available, supplemented by determining the nearest [[Wi-Fi|wireless networks]] and [[cell site]]s.<ref name="Marshall-2007" /><ref name="Schonfeld-2007" /> The software looks up the location of the cell site using a database of known wireless networks and sites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/29/google_mobile_maps/|title=Google Maps Mobile knows where you are|last=Ray|first=Bill|date=November 29, 2007|website=[[The Register]]|publisher=Situation Publishing|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025113145/https://www.theregister.com/2007/11/29/google_mobile_maps/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/google-maps-for-mobile-adds-my-location-feature/|title=Google Maps for Mobile adds 'My Location' feature|last=Mills|first=Elinor|date=November 28, 2007|website=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029102554/https://www.cnet.com/news/google-maps-for-mobile-adds-my-location-feature/|url-status=live}}</ref> By [[Surface triangulation|triangulating]] the different signal strengths from cell transmitters and then using their location property (retrieved from the database), My Location determines the user's current location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imore.com/google-maps-my-location|title=Google Maps: My Location|last=Overbo|first=Mike|date=November 28, 2007|website=iMore|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=April 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060058/http://www.imore.com/google-maps-my-location|url-status=live}}</ref>

Google Maps launched in India in 2008.<ref name="Bhattacharya-2025">{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Ananya |date=2025-02-05 |title=Is Google Maps fatally misleading drivers in India? It's complicated |url=https://restofworld.org/2025/google-maps-india-misdirection-fatal-accidents/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=[[Rest of World]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On September 23, 2008, coinciding with the announcement of the [[HTC Dream|first commercial Android device]], Google announced that a Google Maps app had been released for its Android operating system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://googlemobile.blogspot.se/2008/09/google-on-android.html|title=Google on Android|last=Vanlerberghe|first=Mac|date=September 23, 2008|website=Google Mobile Blog|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-date=December 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207194122/http://googlemobile.blogspot.se/2008/09/google-on-android.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://googleblog.blogspot.se/2008/09/first-android-powered-phone.html|title=The first Android-powered phone|last=Tseng|first=Erick|date=September 23, 2008|website=Official Google Blog|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-date=December 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207192639/https://googleblog.blogspot.se/2008/09/first-android-powered-phone.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2009, Google replaced [[Tele Atlas]] as their primary supplier of geospatial data in the US version of Maps and used their own data.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/10/12/google-replaces-tele-atlas-data-in-us-with-google-data/|title=Google Replaces Tele Atlas Data in US with Google StreetView Data|date=October 12, 2009|publisher=blumenthals.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015145712/http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/10/12/google-replaces-tele-atlas-data-in-us-with-google-data/|archive-date=October 15, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2011–2015 ===
On April 19, 2011, Map Maker was added to the American version of Google Maps, allowing any viewer to edit and add changes to Google Maps. This provides Google with local map updates almost in real-time instead of waiting for digital map data companies to release more infrequent updates.
[[File:Google Maps 2015 icon.svg|left|thumb|93x93px|Icon used from 2015 to 2020]]
On January 31, 2012, Google, due to offering its Maps for free, was found guilty of abusing the dominant position of its Google Maps application and ordered by a court to pay a fine and damages to Bottin Cartographer, a French mapping company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/press-here/France-Convicts-Google-for-Its-Freedom-138644124.html|title=France Convicts Google for Its Free(dom)|date=February 3, 2012|publisher=NBC San Diego|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018002855/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/press-here/France-Convicts-Google-for-Its-Freedom-138644124.html|archive-date=October 18, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> This ruling was overturned on appeal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.competitionpolicyinternational.com/france-google-wins-court-decision-vs-evermaps/|title=France: Google wins court decision vs Evermaps|date=November 29, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022065734/https://www.competitionpolicyinternational.com/france-google-wins-court-decision-vs-evermaps/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2012, Google started mapping the UK's rivers and canals in partnership with the [[Canal & River Trust|Canal and River Trust]]. The company has stated that "it would update the program during the year to allow users to plan trips which include locks, bridges and towpaths along the 2,000 miles of river paths in the UK."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/9340833/Google-begins-mapping-UK-rivers.html|title=Google begins mapping UK rivers|date=June 19, 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619203057/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/9340833/Google-begins-mapping-UK-rivers.html|archive-date=June 19, 2012|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Sign of Google in the centre of Szczecin.jpg|thumb|upright|A monument in the shape of a [[Google Maps pin]] in the center of the city of [[Szczecin]], Poland]]
In December 2012, the Google Maps application was separately made available in the App Store, after Apple removed it from its default installation of the mobile operating system version [[iOS 6]] in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413179,00.asp|title=Google Maps for iOS Hits Apple App Store|publisher=PCMag|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216005946/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413179,00.asp|archive-date=December 16, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref>

On January 29, 2013, Google Maps was updated to include a map of [[North Korea]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/google-maps-north-korea-prison-camps-nuclear-complex-gulags_n_2573238.html|title=Google Maps North Korea: Prison Camps, Nuclear Complexes Pinpointed In New Images (PHOTOS)|first=Cavan|last=Sieczkowski|date=January 29, 2013|newspaper=The Huffington Post|access-date=May 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209195946/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/google-maps-north-korea-prison-camps-nuclear-complex-gulags_n_2573238.html|archive-date=February 9, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2013|May|3|df=US}}, Google Maps recognizes [[Palestine]] as a country, instead of redirecting to the [[Palestinian territories]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/google-changes-palestinian-location-from-territories-to-palestine/|title=Google changes Palestinian location from 'Territories' to 'Palestine'|date=May 3, 2013|newspaper=Fox News|access-date=May 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521075114/http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/05/03/google-recognizes-palestinian/|archive-date=May 21, 2013|url-status=live|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In August 2013, Google Maps removed the Wikipedia Layer, which provided links to Wikipedia content about locations shown in Google Maps using [[Wikipedia:How to add geocodes to articles|Wikipedia geocodes]].<ref>''[http://www.seroundtable.com/wikipedia-layer-gone-google-maps-17342.html Google Maps Drops Wikipedia Layer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006235503/http://www.seroundtable.com/wikipedia-layer-gone-google-maps-17342.html|date=October 6, 2013}}.'' [[Search Engine Roundtable]]. (September 10, 2013)</ref>

On April 12, 2014, Google Maps was updated to reflect the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Ukrainian Crimea by Russia]]. Crimea is shown as the [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Republic of Crimea]] in Russia and as the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] in Ukraine. All other versions show a dotted disputed border.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/12/302337754/google-maps-displays-crimean-border-differently-in-russia-u-s|title=Google Maps Displays Crimean Border Differently In Russia, U.S.|date=April 12, 2014|work=NPR.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126035554/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/12/302337754/google-maps-displays-crimean-border-differently-in-russia-u-s|archive-date=November 26, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref>

In April 2015, on a map near the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, the imagery of the Android logo urinating on the Apple logo was added via Map Maker and appeared on Google Maps. The [[vandalism]] was soon removed and Google publicly apologized.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/24/google-maps-hides-an-image-of-the-android-robot-pissing-on-apple|title=Google Maps hides an image of the Android robot urinating on Apple|last1=Hern|first1=Alex|date=April 24, 2015|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517225620/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/24/google-maps-hides-an-image-of-the-android-robot-pissing-on-apple|archive-date=May 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> However, as a result, Google disabled user moderation on Map Maker, and on May 12, disabled editing worldwide until it could devise a new policy for approving edits and avoiding vandalism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/map-maker/news-and-announcements/crFEbGXJ-HI|title=Map Maker will be temporarily unavailable for editing starting May 12, 2015|last1=Kanakarajan|first1=Pavithra|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2015|publisher=Google Product Forums|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203081016/https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/map-maker/news-and-announcements/crFEbGXJ-HI|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 29, 2015, users of the classic Google Maps were forwarded to the new Google Maps with the option to be removed from the interface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techforluddites.com/google-is-getting-rid-of-classic-maps-for-good/|title=Google Is Getting Rid of Classic Maps for Good (Ugh.)|date=April 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515192655/http://techforluddites.com/google-is-getting-rid-of-classic-maps-for-good/|archive-date=May 15, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2015}}</ref>

On July 14, 2015, the Chinese name for [[Scarborough Shoal]] was removed after a petition from the [[Philippines]] was posted on [[Change.org]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33518673|title=Google Maps alters disputed South China Sea shoal name|work=BBC News|date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714214609/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33518673|archive-date=July 14, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref>

=== 2016–2018 ===

On June 27, 2016, Google rolled out new satellite imagery worldwide sourced from [[Landsat 8]], comprising over 700 trillion pixels of new data.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/06/google-maps-gets-a-satellite-makeover-mosaic-700-trillion/488939/|title=Google's Satellite Map Gets a 700-Trillion-Pixel Makeover|last=Meyer|first=Robinson|date=June 27, 2016|work=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=June 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627185634/http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/06/google-maps-gets-a-satellite-makeover-mosaic-700-trillion/488939/|archive-date=June 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2016, Google Maps acquired mapping analytics startup Urban Engines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/16/urban-engines-2/|title=Google Maps picks up mapping analytics and visualization startup Urban Engines|last=Heater|first=Brian|website=TechCrunch|date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917141751/https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/16/urban-engines-2/|archive-date=September 17, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, the Government of South Korea offered Google conditional access to the country's geographic database – access that already allows indigenous Korean mapping providers high-detail maps. Google declined the offer, as it was unwilling to accept restrictions on reducing the quality around locations the South Korean Government felt were sensitive (see [[restrictions on geographic data in South Korea]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/one-thing-north-korea-south-doesnt-google-maps/|date=26 February 2018|title=One thing North Korea has that the South doesn't: Google Maps|newspaper=[[Asia Times]]|first1=Keshia|last1=Badalge|first2=Cullen|last2=Fairchild|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125084242/https://asiatimes.com/2018/02/one-thing-north-korea-south-doesnt-google-maps/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 16, 2017, Google Maps was updated with accessible imagery of several planets and moons such as [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], and [[Venus]], as well as direct access to imagery of the [[Moon]] and [[Mars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blog.google/products/maps/space-out-planets-google-maps/|title=Space out with planets in Google Maps|last=Marquardt|first=Stafford|date=October 16, 2017|website=Blog.Google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016165713/https://www.blog.google/products/maps/space-out-planets-google-maps/|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/16/google-maps-now-lets-you-explore-your-local-planets-and-moons-too/|title=Google Maps now lets you explore your local planets and moons|last=Lardinois|first=Frederic|date=October 16, 2017|website=TechCrunch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016165303/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/16/google-maps-now-lets-you-explore-your-local-planets-and-moons-too/|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref>

In May 2018, Google announced major changes to the API structure starting June 11, 2018. This change consolidated the 18 different endpoints into three services and merged the basic and premium plans into one pay-as-you-go plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/02/google-maps-platform-arrives-with-pay-as-you-go-billing-free-support-and-cloud-requirement-starting-june-11/|title=Google Maps Platform arrives with pay-as-you-go billing, free support, and Cloud requirement starting June 11|last=Protalinski|first=Emil|date=May 2, 2018|website=VentureBeat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204074556/https://venturebeat.com/2018/05/02/google-maps-platform-arrives-with-pay-as-you-go-billing-free-support-and-cloud-requirement-starting-june-11/|archive-date=December 4, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref> This meant a 1400% price raise for users on the basic plan, with only six weeks of notice. This caused a harsh reaction within the developers community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geoawesomeness.com/developers-up-in-arms-over-google-maps-api-insane-price-hike/|title=Developers up in arms over Google Maps API 'insane' price hike|last1=Singh|first1=Ishveena|date=May 3, 2018|website=Geoawesomeness|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808231829/https://geoawesomeness.com/developers-up-in-arms-over-google-maps-api-insane-price-hike/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June, Google postponed the change date to July 16, 2018.

In August 2018, Google Maps designed its overall view (when zoomed out completely) into a [[Three-dimensional space|3D]] globe dropping the [[Mercator projection]] that projected the planet onto a flat surface.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/5/17653122/google-maps-update-mercator-projection-earth-isnt-flat|title=Google Maps now depicts the Earth as a globe|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-08-06|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111181608/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/5/17653122/google-maps-update-mercator-projection-earth-isnt-flat|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2019–present ===
[[File:Google Maps icon (2020).svg|alt=Google Maps icon 2020|thumb|89x89px|2020 icon redesign]]
In January 2019, Google Maps added speed trap and [[speed camera]] alerts as reported by other users.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.androidcentral.com/speed-trap-warnings-begin-rolling-out-some-google-maps-users|title=Speed trap warnings begin rolling out to some Google Maps users|date=2019-01-16|website=Android Central|language=en|access-date=2019-01-16|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022040414/https://www.androidcentral.com/speed-trap-warnings-begin-rolling-out-some-google-maps-users|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/google-maps-shows-you-how-fast-youre-driving-heres-how/|title=Google Maps shows you how fast you're driving. Here's how|date=2019-06-09|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123223749/https://www.cnet.com/how-to/use-google-maps-to-see-how-fast-youre-driving/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 17, 2019, Google Maps was updated to include incident reporting, resembling a functionality in [[Waze]] which was acquired by Google in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.google/products/maps/new-ways-report-driving-incidents-google-maps/|title=New ways to report driving incidents on Google Maps|date=2019-10-17|website=Google|language=en|access-date=2020-04-20|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022103149/https://blog.google/products/maps/new-ways-report-driving-incidents-google-maps/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2019, Incognito mode was added, allowing users to enter destinations without saving entries to their Google accounts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.google/products/maps/updates-incognito-mode-and-your-timeline-maps/|title=Updates to Incognito mode and your Timeline in Maps|date=2019-12-09|website=Google|language=en|access-date=2020-04-20|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124234209/https://blog.google/products/maps/updates-incognito-mode-and-your-timeline-maps/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2020, Maps received a 15th anniversary redesign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.google/products/maps/maps-15th-birthday/|title=Google Maps is turning 15! Celebrate with a new look and features|date=2020-02-06|website=Google|language=en|access-date=2020-04-20|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110184723/https://www.blog.google/products/maps/maps-15th-birthday/|url-status=live}}</ref> It notably added a brand-new app icon, which now resembles the original icon in 2005.

On September 23, 2020, Google announced a COVID-19 Layer update for Google maps, which is designed to offer a seven-day average data of the total COVID-19-positive cases per 100,000 people in the area selected on the map. It also features a label indicating the rise and fall in the number of cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.google/products/maps/navigate-safely-new-covid-data-google-maps/|title=Navigate safely with new COVID data in Google Maps|access-date=23 September 2020|website=Google|date=September 23, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203050537/https://blog.google/products/maps/navigate-safely-new-covid-data-google-maps/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, Google announced that it would be launching a new feature displaying COVID-19 vaccination sites.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Jordan|last=Valinsky|title=Google Maps will soon display Covid-19 vaccination sites|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/tech/covid-vaccine-google-maps/index.html|access-date=2021-01-25|website=CNN|date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125181617/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/tech/covid-vaccine-google-maps/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, Google announced updates to the route planner that would accommodate drivers of electric vehicles. Routing would take into account the type of vehicle, vehicle status including current charge, and the locations of charging stations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bogdan |first1=Popa |title=Google Releases Big Google Maps Update for a Next-Generation Driving Experience |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/google-releases-big-google-maps-update-for-a-next-generation-driving-experience-155177.html |access-date=28 January 2021 |publisher=autoevolution |date=28 January 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128070823/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/google-releases-big-google-maps-update-for-a-next-generation-driving-experience-155177.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2022, Google Maps added a layer displaying air quality for certain countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title=How to use Google Maps to see air quality? |url=https://www.marca.com/en/technology/2022/06/14/62a7b48b268e3e8a1b8b4617.html |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=MARCA |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616102800/https://www.marca.com/en/technology/2022/06/14/62a7b48b268e3e8a1b8b4617.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2022, Google removed the COVID-19 Layer from Google Maps due to lack of usage of the feature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=2022-10-26 |title=Google Maps has removed its COVID-19 layer |url=https://9to5google.com/2022/10/26/google-maps-covid-19-layer-2/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=[[9to5Google]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410204545/https://9to5google.com/2022/10/26/google-maps-covid-19-layer-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>