A new feature is coming soon to the Google Maps app that will allow users to draw missing roads directly on the map, improving the service's coverage in some areas where Google's data sources are not complete.
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The feature will only be available on the web version of the app, on desktop, not on mobile apps. It will initially be offered in 80 countries. Google says it will “review” these proposed map changes before publishing them so that other users can see them.
According to Google:
«When you see a road missing on maps.google.com, simply click the side menu button, go to “Edit Map” and select “Missing Road.” Now the power of mapping is in your hands! Add missing roads by drawing lines, quickly rename roads, change road direction and realign it, or delete incorrect roads.»
This isn't the first time Google has offered users the ability to edit its maps. The company used to use a tool called Cartographer, which functioned as a community-curated map for Wikipedia. But the tool ran into problems as moderation became an issue, and Google eventually discontinued it in 2017. However, a limited subset of Cartographer's features were made available to certain users, whom Google calls "Local Guides."
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The new map editing capabilities are more accurate and more powerful and will be available to more people.
In the same blog post announcing the new Maps editing feature, Google also revealed an advertising effort to persuade Android users to leave more reviews for local businesses and also introduced a new feature for Maps called “photo updates.”
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Users will be able to post photos with short text entries, but without having to submit a review for the location. The company hopes this feature will lead to more useful photos that could help potential guests determine things like parking availability, seating, and other details that could shape users' decisions about whether to go somewhere or not.
Google's guidelines for using the photo updates feature are as follows:
«Just go to the “Updates” tab when you search for a place on Google Maps to see the latest photos that merchants and others have shared. To add your own update, tap the “upload photo update” button, select your photos, leave a short description, and post. You can post as many photos as you want and find photo updates that others have left in the Updates tab.»
Google says the photo updates will roll out "in the coming weeks," while the street editing tool will become available to users "in the coming months.".
