Create and share online maps with Google “My Maps”
Posted by Jacque on April 5th, 2007
Google added a new feature yesterday to its online maps that lets any user create custom maps, documenting them with embedded notes, links, digital video and photos.
User-enhanced content is a hallmark of the current online world, and the Seattle P-I notes Google Maps new feature is a significant development and move forward in the competitive online mapping market that includes Microsoft’s Live Search Maps Collections.
Google has made it noticeably easier to create custom maps. The free My Maps feature is meant for “regular people” to use — programming knowledge is not necessary.
“We believe that the users will generate content that will enrich the Google Maps experience,” said Jessica Lee, a product manager for Google Maps. “This will give us coverage of places that we don’t currently provide data for. … The best people to write that content are the people who live there.” The maps people create on Google My Maps also will be available to other Web users among the Google Maps search results, if the people who create them designate them as public.
With Google Maps you can create and share personalized annotated maps, marking your favorite places on your map. You can draw lines and shapes to highlight paths and areas, add your own text, photos, and videos and publish and share your map online. See how to do it here.
