Editing Google Maps (section)

== Functionality ==
=== Directions and transit ===
Google Maps provides a [[Route planning software|route planner]],<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Victor |last=Luckerson |title=10 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Know |url=https://time.com/3701505/google-maps-tips-tricks/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=February 9, 2015 |access-date=December 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209230602/http://time.com/3701505/google-maps-tips-tricks/ |archive-date=February 9, 2015 }}</ref> allowing users to find available directions through driving, public transportation, walking, or biking.<ref>{{cite web |title=Get directions and show routes
 |url=https://support.google.com/maps/answer/144339 |website=Google Maps Help |publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=December 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702160706/https://support.google.com/maps/answer/144339 |archive-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> Google has partnered globally with over 800 public transportation providers to adopt [[GTFS]] (General Transit Feed Specification), making the data available to third parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/bike-blog/2017/sep/26/google-maps-must-improve-if-it-wants-cyclists-to-use-it|title=Google Maps must improve if it wants cyclists to use it|last=Brown|first=Jessica|date=2017-09-26|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-07-12|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221095331/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/bike-blog/2017/sep/26/google-maps-must-improve-if-it-wants-cyclists-to-use-it|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/04/who-owns-transit-data/522444/|title=The Case for Unshackling Transit Data|work=CityLab|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref> The app can indicate users' transit route, thanks to an October 2019 update. The incognito mode, eyes-free walking navigation features were released earlier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xda-developers.com/google-maps-10270-starring-transit-lines-dark-mode/|title=Google Maps may soon get a dark mode and ability to star transit lines|date=2019-10-10|website=xda-developers|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-11|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020042042/https://www.xda-developers.com/google-maps-10270-starring-transit-lines-dark-mode/|url-status=live}}</ref> A July 2020 update provided bike share routes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Google Maps rolls out end-to-end directions for bikeshare users|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/20/google-maps-rolls-out-end-to-end-directions-for-bikeshare-users/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=TechCrunch|date=July 20, 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126062014/http://techcrunch.com/2020/07/20/google-maps-rolls-out-end-to-end-directions-for-bikeshare-users/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2024, Google Maps started rolling out glanceable directions for its Android and iOS apps. The feature allows users to track their journey from their device's [[lock screen]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Li |first=Abner |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Google Maps adds 'Glanceable directions while navigating' setting |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/02/27/google-maps-glanceable-directions-2/ |access-date=May 2, 2024 |work=[[9to5Google]] |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303153007/https://9to5google.com/2024/02/27/google-maps-glanceable-directions-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=2024-02-28 |title=Google Maps is finally rolling out glanceable directions. |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085492/google-maps-is-finally-rolling-out-glanceable-directions |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502010552/https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085492/google-maps-is-finally-rolling-out-glanceable-directions |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Traffic conditions ===
[[File:Google Traffic screenshot.png|alt=Screenshot of Google Maps with traffic option enabled|thumb|Screenshot of Google Maps with traffic option enabled]]
In 2007, Google began offering traffic data as a colored overlay on top of roads and motorways to represent the speed of vehicles on particular roads. [[Crowdsourcing]] is used to obtain the GPS-determined locations of a large number of cellphone users, from which live traffic maps are produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2007/02/stuck-in-traffic.html|title=Stuck in traffic?|last=Wang|first=David|date=February 28, 2007|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212190835/https://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2007/02/stuck-in-traffic.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://crackberry.com/real-time-traffic-information-google-maps|title=Real time traffic information with Google Maps|date=March 22, 2007|work=CrackBerry|access-date=June 23, 2014|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705061519/http://crackberry.com/real-time-traffic-information-google-maps|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theconnectivist.com/2013/07/how-google-tracks-traffic/|title=How Google Tracks Traffic|last=Matthews|first=Susan E.|date=July 3, 2013|publisher=The Connectivist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173908/http://www.theconnectivist.com/2013/07/how-google-tracks-traffic/|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Google has stated that the speed and location information it collects to calculate traffic conditions is anonymous.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html|title=The Bright Side of Sitting in Traffic: Crowdsourcing Road Congestion Data|last=Barth|first=Dave|newspaper=Official Google Blog|date=August 25, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204124120/https://googleblog.blogspot.ca/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Options available in each phone's settings allow users not to share information about their location with Google Maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theconnectivist.com/2013/07/how-google-tracks-traffic/|title=How Google Tracks Traffic|last=Matthews|first=Susan E.|date=July 3, 2013|publisher=The Connectivist|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222173908/http://www.theconnectivist.com/2013/07/how-google-tracks-traffic/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Google stated, "Once you disable or opt out of My Location, Maps will not continue to send radio information back to Google servers to determine your handset's approximate location".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/gmm/answer/81875?hl=en&ref_topic=3495927|title=Help Google Maps find my location|date=|publisher=Google Inc.|access-date=2016-12-08|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024134657/https://support.google.com/maps/answer/1250066?hl=en&ref_topic=3495927&visit_id=637389483169785152-739444035&rd=2|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2018}}

=== Street View ===
{{Main|Google Street View}}
[[File:Google Maps Car at Googleplex.jpg|thumb|A Google Maps car at [[Googleplex]], [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]]]] On May 25, 2007, Google released [[Google Street View]], a feature of Google Maps providing [[360°]] panoramic street-level views of various locations. On the date of release, the feature only included five cities in the U.S. It has since expanded to thousands of locations around the world. In July 2009, Google began mapping college campuses and surrounding paths and [[trail]]s.

Street View garnered much controversy after its release because of [[Google Street View privacy concerns|privacy concerns]] about the uncensored nature of the panoramic photographs, although the views are only taken on public streets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifpandnpthenwe.gnn.tv/headlines/14488/The_Google_ick_factor|title=The Google 'ick' factor|date=July 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817042700/http://ifpandnpthenwe.gnn.tv/headlines/14488/The_Google_ick_factor|archive-date=August 17, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=July 9, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/06/want_off_street.html|title=Want Off Street View?|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=July 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618130244/http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/06/want_off_street.html|archive-date=June 18, 2007|url-status=live|magazine=Wired}}</ref> Since then, Google has blurred faces and license plates through automated [[face detection|facial recognition]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mashable.com/2012/08/22/google-maps-facts/#_|title=11 Fascinating Facts About Google Maps|last=Petronzio i|first=Matt|date=August 22, 2012|work=[[Mashable]]|access-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410002316/http://mashable.com/2012/08/22/google-maps-facts/#_|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=live|quote=Google employs automatic face and license plate blurring technology to protect people’s privacy in Street View, and users can even request additional blurring. Aerial imagery provides much less detail and resolution.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/google-begins-blurring-faces-in-street-view/|title=Google begins blurring faces in Street View|date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626080941/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9943140-7.html|archive-date=June 26, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40424079/how-google-street-view-spawned-an-accidental-art-form|title=How Google Street View Became An Art Form|date=2017-05-25|work=Fast Company|access-date=2018-07-12|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125135753/https://www.fastcompany.com/40424079/how-google-street-view-spawned-an-accidental-art-form|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Google-Maps-Backpack-NYC.png|thumb|Google Maps Street View Trekker backpack being implemented on the sidewalk of the Hudson River Greenway in New York City]]

In late 2014, Google launched Google Underwater Street View, including {{convert|2300|km|mi}} of the Australian [[Great Barrier Reef]] in 3D. The images are taken by special cameras which turn 360 degrees and take shots every 3 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2014/11/16/240622233/Google-Launches-Underwater-Street-View|title=Google Launches Underwater Street View|date=November 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129030153/http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2014/11/16/240622233/Google-Launches-Underwater-Street-View|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, in both Google Maps and Google Earth, Street View navigation of the [[International Space Station]] interior spaces became available.

=== 3D imagery ===
{{Main|Google Earth#3D imagery}}
Google Maps incorporated, in August 2018, 3D models of hundreds of cities in over 40 countries from Google Earth into its satellite view. The models were developed using aerial [[photogrammetry]] techniques.<ref>{{cite web |title=Explore the world with tour guide and 3D imagery in Google Earth 7 |url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.ca/2012/10/explore-world-with-tour-guide-and-3d.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128194004/http://google-latlong.blogspot.ca/2012/10/explore-world-with-tour-guide-and-3d.html |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=July 24, 2016 |publisher=Google LatLong Blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 2012 |title=Google Earth adds new 3D imagery in 21 cities to its 11,000 guided tours of our planet |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/31/google-earth-adds-new-3d-imagery-in-21-cities-to-its-11000-guided-tours-of-our-planet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000600/https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/31/google-earth-adds-new-3d-imagery-in-21-cities-to-its-11000-guided-tours-of-our-planet/ |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref>

=== Immersive View ===
At the [[Google I/O#2022|I/O 2022]] event, Google announced Immersive View, a feature of Google Maps which would involve composite 3D images generated from [[Street View]] and aerial images of locations using AI, complete with synchronous information. It was to be initially in five cities worldwide, with plans to add it to other cities later on.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.google/products/maps/three-maps-updates-io-2022/ | title=Immersive view coming soon to Maps — plus more updates | date=May 11, 2022 | access-date=May 13, 2022 | archive-date=May 13, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513171310/https://blog.google/products/maps/three-maps-updates-io-2022/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The feature was previewed in September 2022 with 250 photorealistic aerial 3D images of landmarks,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-28 |title=4 new updates that make Maps look and feel more like the real world |url=https://blog.google/products/maps/4-new-updates-maps-searchon-2022/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Google |language=en-us |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227223634/https://blog.google/products/maps/4-new-updates-maps-searchon-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was full launched in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=New ways Maps is getting more immersive and sustainable |url=https://blog.google/products/maps/sustainable-immersive-maps-announcements/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Google |language=en-us |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227223635/https://blog.google/products/maps/sustainable-immersive-maps-announcements/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An expansion of Immersive View to routes was announced at Google I/O 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=New ways AI is making Maps more immersive |url=https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-updates-io-2023/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Google |language=en-us |archive-date=December 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227223634/https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-updates-io-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and was launched in October 2023 for 15 cities globally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=New Maps updates: Immersive View for routes and other AI features |url=https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-october-2023-update/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Google |language=en-us |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218053347/https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-october-2023-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The feature uses [[predictive modelling]] and [[neural radiance field]]s to scan Street View and aerial images to generate composite 3D imagery of locations, including both exteriors and interiors, and routes, including driving, walking or cycling, as well as generate synchronous information and forecasts up to a month ahead from historical and environmental data about both such as weather, traffic and busyness.

Immersive View has been available in the following locations:{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
{| class=wikitable 
|+ Locations with Immersive View
|-
! Country
! Locations
|-
| {{flag|Argentina}} || [[Buenos Aires]]
|-
| {{flag|Australia}} || [[Melbourne]], [[Sydney]]
|-
| {{flag|Austria}} || [[Vienna]]
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}} || [[Brussels]]
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}} || [[Brasília]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[São Paulo]]
|-
| {{flag|Canada}} || [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], [[Montreal]], [[Ottawa]], [[Toronto]], [[Vancouver]]
|-
| {{flag|Chile}} || [[Santiago]]
|-
| {{flag|Czech Republic}} || [[Prague]]
|-
| {{flag|France}} || [[Nice]], [[Paris]]
|-
| {{flag|Germany}} || [[Berlin]], [[Cologne]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Munich]]
|-
| {{flag|Greece}} || [[Athens]]
|-
| {{flag|Hong Kong}} || [[Hong Kong]]
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}} || [[Budapest]]
|-
| {{flag|Italy}} || [[Florence]], [[Milan]], [[Rome]], [[Venice]]
|-
| {{flag|Japan}} || [[Kyoto]], [[Nagoya]], [[Osaka]], [[Tokyo]]
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} || [[Guadalajara]], [[Mexico City]]
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || [[Amsterdam]]
|-
| {{flag|Norway}} || [[Oslo]]
|-
| {{flag|Poland}} || [[Warsaw]]
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}} || [[Lisbon]], [[Porto]]
|-
| {{flag|Romania}} || [[Bucharest]]
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}} || [[Singapore]]
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}} || [[Cape Town]], [[Johannesburg]]
|-
| {{flag|Spain}} || [[Barcelona]], [[Madrid]]
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || [[Stockholm]]
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || [[Zurich]]
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}} || [[Taichung]], [[Taipei]]
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || [[Edinburgh]], [[London]]
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || [[Atlanta]], [[Boston]], [[Chicago]], [[Detroit]], [[Houston]], [[Las Vegas]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Miami]], [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]], [[San Diego]], [[San Francisco]], [[Seattle]]
|-
| {{flag|Vatican City}} || [[Vatican City]]
|}

=== Landmark Icons ===
Google added icons of city attractions, in a similar style to [[Apple Maps]], on October 3, 2019. In the first stage, such icons were added to 9 cities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.justinobeirne.com/google-maps-adds-landmark-icons | title=Google Maps Adds Apple-Style Landmark Icons }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== 45° imagery ===
[[File:Leaning Tower of Pisa on Google Aerial View.png|thumb|An example of the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]] in the 45° view]]
In December 2009, Google introduced a new view consisting of 45° angle aerial imagery, offering a "[[bird's-eye view]]" of cities. The first cities available were [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] and San Diego. This feature was initially available only to developers via the Google Maps API.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/12/changing-your-perspective.html|title=Google LatLong: Changing your perspective|last=Wilson|first=Randy|date=2009-12-08|publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com|access-date=2010-09-18|archive-date=October 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017054223/http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/12/changing-your-perspective.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2010, it was introduced as an experimental feature in Google Maps Labs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2010/02/11/google-maps-labs/|title=Google Maps Get Labs With 9 Cool New Features|last=Schroeder|first=Stan|date=February 12, 2010|website=Mashable|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216201708/http://mashable.com/2010/02/12/google-maps-labs/|archive-date=February 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref> In July 2010, 45° imagery was made available in Google Maps in select cities in South Africa, the United States, Germany and Italy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2010/07/10/google-maps-45-degree-aerial/|title=Google Maps Adds 45° Aerial Imagery For All Users|last=Axon|first=Samuel|date=July 11, 2010|website=Mashable|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217003212/http://mashable.com/2010/07/10/google-maps-45-degree-aerial/|archive-date=December 17, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

=== Weather ===
In February 2024, Google Maps incorporated a small weather icon on the top left corner of the Android and iOS mobile apps, giving access to weather and [[air quality index]] details.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-07 |title=How to check weather & air quality details on Google Maps |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/techook/check-weather-air-quality-google-maps-9148982/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208170852/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/techook/check-weather-air-quality-google-maps-9148982/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Lens in Maps ===
Previously called Search with Live View, Lens In Maps identifies shops, restaurants, transit stations and other street features with a phone's camera and places relevant information and a category pin on top, like closing/opening times, current busyness, pricing and reviews using AI and [[augmented reality]]. The feature, if available on the device, can be accessed through tapping the Lens icon in the search bar. It was expanded to 50 new cities in October 2023 in its biggest expansion yet, after initially being released in late 2022 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, and Paris.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=2022-11-17 |title=Google Maps getting Live View AR search in these cities as Lens adds 'near me' food lookup |url=https://9to5google.com/2022/11/17/google-maps-live-view-search/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=9to5Google |language=en-US |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330062808/https://9to5google.com/2022/11/17/google-maps-live-view-search/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=New Maps updates: Lens in Maps and other AI features |url=https://blog.google/intl/en-ca/products/explore-get-answers/new-maps-updates-lens-in-maps-and-other-ai-features/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Google |language=en-ca |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114190341/https://blog.google/intl/en-ca/products/explore-get-answers/new-maps-updates-lens-in-maps-and-other-ai-features/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lens in Maps shares features with Live View, which also displays information relating to street features while guiding a user to a selected destination with virtual arrows, signs and guidance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Use Live View on Google Maps - Android - Google Maps Help |url=https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9332056?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android#zippy= |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114190340/https://support.google.com/maps/answer/9332056?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android#zippy= |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Business listings ===
[[File:Google_Maps_review_screenshot.png|thumb|180px|right|A business listing in Google Maps showing opening times, reviews and photos. This screenshot is from the Android mobile app.]]
Google collates business listings from multiple on-line and off-line sources. To reduce duplication in the index, Google's algorithm combines listings automatically based on address, phone number, or geocode,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://productforums.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!category-topic/maps/map-wont-load/V5T0RwCyBoU|title=The Google Local map results have "merged" our listing with another in the same building – Maps Help|date=April 22, 2009|access-date=January 13, 2010|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102094807/https://productforums.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!category-topic/maps/map-wont-load/V5T0RwCyBoU|url-status=live}}</ref> but sometimes information for separate businesses will be inadvertently merged with each other, resulting in listings inaccurately incorporating elements from multiple businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/04/29/google-maps-merging-mania-due-to-algo-change/|title=Google Maps Merging Mania Due to Algo-Change|date=April 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503205934/http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/04/29/google-maps-merging-mania-due-to-algo-change/|archive-date=May 3, 2009|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Google allows business owners to create and verify their own business data through ''Google Business Profile'' (''GBP''), formerly ''Google My Business'' (''GMB'').<ref>{{cite news|last=Madrigal|first=Matt|date=November 4, 2021|title=Connect with local holiday shoppers|work=Google Ads & Commerce Blog|publisher=Google|url=https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/connect-local-holiday-shoppers/|url-status=live|access-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072631/http://www.chaddo.com/index.php/phone-and-text-verification-on-google-maps/|archive-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> Owners are encouraged to provide Google with business information including address, phone number, business category, and photos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sparkseo.net/blog/how-to-put-your-business-on-google-maps|title=How to Put Your Business on Google Maps|date=June 8, 2020|publisher=Spark SEO|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022043408/https://sparkseo.net/blog/how-to-put-your-business-on-google-maps|url-status=live}}</ref> Google has staff in India who check and correct listings remotely as well as support businesses with issues.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} Google also has teams on the ground in most countries that validate physical addresses in person.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/technology/internet/17maps.html|title=Online Maps: Everyman Offers New Directions|last=Helft|first=Miguel|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312143222/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/technology/internet/17maps.html|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=live|work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> In May 2024, Google announced it would discontinue the chat feature in Google Business Profile. Starting July 15, 2024, new chat conversations would be disabled, and by July 31, 2024, all chat functionalities would end.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Changes to Google Business Profile chat - Google Business Profile Help |url=https://support.google.com/business/answer/14919062?visit_id=638525540248324251-443400110&p=chat_sunset&rd=1 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529045429/https://support.google.com/business/answer/14919062?visit_id=638525540248324251-443400110&p=chat_sunset&rd=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Google Maps can be manipulated by businesses that are not physically located in the area in which they record a listing. There are cases of people abusing Google Maps to overtake their competition by placing unverified listings on online directory sites, knowing the information will roll across to Google (duplicate sites). The people who update these listings do not use a registered business name. They place keywords and location details on their Google Maps business title, which can overtake credible business listings. In Australia in particular, genuine companies and businesses are noticing a trend of fake business listings in a variety of industries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2127150-thousands-of-fake-companies-added-to-google-maps-every-month/|title=Thousands of fake companies added to Google Maps every month|last=Revell|first=Timothy|date=April 7, 2017|publisher=New Scientist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416015526/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2127150-thousands-of-fake-companies-added-to-google-maps-every-month/|archive-date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref>

Genuine business owners can also optimize their business listings to gain greater visibility in Google Maps, through a type of search engine marketing called [[local search engine optimization]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Widewail |title=Improve Local SEO With Google Reviews {{!}} Widewail |url=https://www.widewail.com/local-seo |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.widewail.com |language=en |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030184349/https://www.widewail.com/local-seo |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Indoor maps ===
In March 2011, indoor maps were added to Google Maps, giving users the ability to navigate themselves within buildings such as [[airport]]s, [[museum]]s, shopping malls, [[big-box store]]s, universities, [[transport hub|transit stations]], and other public spaces (including underground facilities). Google encourages owners of public facilities to submit floor plans of their buildings in order to add them to the service.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/07/17-organizations-that-made-their-floorplans-public-on-google-maps/|title=Inside Google's Fascinating Stash of 10,000 Indoor Maps|magazine=WIRED|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-US|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043442/https://www.wired.com/2012/07/17-organizations-that-made-their-floorplans-public-on-google-maps/|url-status=live}}</ref> Map users can view different floors of a building or [[Metro station|subway station]] by clicking on a level selector that is displayed near any structures which are mapped on multiple levels.

=== My Maps ===
[[File:Google My Maps Civil War Example.png|thumb|Google My Maps]]
My Maps is a feature in Google Maps launched in April 2007 that enables users to create custom maps for personal use or sharing. Users can add points, lines, shapes, notes and images on top of Google Maps using a [[WYSIWYG]] editor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2007/04/05/google-releases-my-maps/|title=Google releases My Maps|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=April 5, 2007|website=VentureBeat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404095655/https://venturebeat.com/2007/04/05/google-releases-my-maps/|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> An Android app for My Maps, initially released in March 2013 under the name Google Maps Engine Lite, was available until its removal from the [[Google Play|Play Store]] in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/27/google-launches-maps-engine-lite-makes-it-easy-to-create-advanced-custom-maps/|title=Google Launches Maps Engine Lite, Makes It Easy To Create Advanced Custom Maps|last=Lardinois|first=Frederic|date=March 27, 2013|website=TechCrunch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404112540/https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/27/google-launches-maps-engine-lite-makes-it-easy-to-create-advanced-custom-maps/|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-rebrands-maps-engine-to-my-maps-adds-improved-search-and-more-593468|title=Google Rebrands Maps Engine to 'My Maps', Adds Improved Search and More|last=Pratap|first=Ketan|date=September 17, 2014|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404112742/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-rebrands-maps-engine-to-my-maps-adds-improved-search-and-more-593468|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Deprecation of My Maps for Android - My Maps Help |url=https://support.google.com/mymaps/answer/10656656?hl=en#zippy=,are-there-differences-between-the-my-maps-android-app-and-my-maps-on-the-web |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=August 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803094857/https://support.google.com/mymaps/answer/10656656?hl=en#zippy=,are-there-differences-between-the-my-maps-android-app-and-my-maps-on-the-web |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Google Local Guides ===
Google Local Guides is a volunteer program launched by Google Maps<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Guides |url=https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408220601/https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Google}}</ref> to enable users to contribute to Google Maps when registered. It sometimes provides them additional perks and benefits for their collaboration. Users can achieve Level 1 to 10, and be awarded with badges. The program is partially a successor to [[Google Map Maker]] as features from the former program became integrated into the website and app.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/mapmaker/answer/7195127|title=Google Map Maker has closed|website=Google Map Maker help|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619155044/http://www.google.com/mapmaker?ll=63.303775,-20.601959&spn=0.021517,0.065918&t=h&z=14&lyt=large_map_v3&hyaw=136.090660347804|url-status=live}}</ref>

The program consists of adding reviews, photos, basic information, and videos; and correcting information such as [[Accessibility|wheelchair accessibility]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/google-maps-local-guides-programme-to-get-video-reviews-1750856|title=Google Testing Video Reviews in Maps|work=NDTV Gadgets360.com|access-date=June 20, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024222717/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/google-maps-local-guides-programme-to-get-video-reviews-1750856|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slashgear.com/google-calls-on-local-guides-to-add-wheelchair-info-to-maps-07498741/|title=Google calls on Local Guides to add wheelchair info to Maps|date=2017-09-07|work=SlashGear|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-US|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026164235/https://www.slashgear.com/google-calls-on-local-guides-to-add-wheelchair-info-to-maps-07498741/|url-status=live}}</ref> Adding reviews, photos, videos, new places, new roads or providing useful information gives points to the users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southern |first=Matt G. |date=2022-05-13 |title=Google Local Guides Program: How To Earn Points & Badges |url=https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-local-guides-program-adds-new-levels-new-perks/202294/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Search Engine Journal |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121143048/https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-local-guides-program-adds-new-levels-new-perks/202294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The level of users is upgraded when they get a certain amount of points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Guides |url=https://maps.google.com/localguides/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=maps.google.com |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207000829/https://maps.google.com/localguides |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="support.google.com">{{Cite web |title=Points, levels, and badging - Local Guides Help |url=https://support.google.com/local-guides/answer/6225851?hl=en&ref_topic=6225845 |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121143048/https://support.google.com/local-guides/answer/6225851?hl=en&ref_topic=6225845 |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting with Level 4, a star is shown near the avatar of the user.<ref name="support.google.com"/>

=== Timelapse ===
Earth Timelapse, released in April 2021, is a program in which users can see how the earth has been changed in the last 37 years. They combined the 15 million satellite images (roughly ten quadrillion [[pixel]]s) to create the 35 global cloud-free Images for this program.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|title=Google Earth's new time travel feature is a gigantic bummer|url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/google-earths-new-time-travel-feature-is-a-gigantic-bummer-4132269|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Trusted Reviews|language=en|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416132827/https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/google-earths-new-time-travel-feature-is-a-gigantic-bummer-4132269|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Timeline===
If a user shares their location with Google, Timeline summarises this location for each day on a [https://timeline.google.com/ Timeline map].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antonelli |first=William |date=2021-11-26 |title=How to check your Google Maps timeline and see every place you've traveled |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/google-maps-timeline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703113004/https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/google-maps-timeline?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=2023-07-03 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Timeline estimates the mode of travel used to move between places and will also show photos taken at that location. In June 2024, Google started progressively removing access to the timeline on web browsers, with the information instead being stored on a local device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update Google Maps to use Timeline on your device - Computer - Google Maps Help |url=https://support.google.com/maps/answer/14169818? |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=support.google.com |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615081819/https://support.google.com/maps/answer/14169818 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Google Maps gets rid of another feature on Web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/google-maps-gets-rid-another-220221240.html |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=Yahoo Tech |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615081819/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/google-maps-gets-rid-another-220221240.html |url-status=live }}</ref>