Google Maps gets new features including the ability to draw new or missing roads

Google Maps users can now simply draw a line on the app to rename roads, change road directionality, and realign or delete incorrect roads.

Google Maps gets three new features (Google)

Google is rolling out new features for Google Maps. The set of new features allows users to add local knowledge as well as fix mistakes. Google Maps will also include a new content type in the coming weeks with the ability to share photo updates.

One of the highlights is the ability to draw new or missing roads on Google Maps. Users will get a new road editing tool on the desktop to make it easier for them to report road changes. If users spot a road missing on Google Maps, they can click on the side menu button, go to “Edit the map”, and choose “Missing Road.”

Apart from drawing new roads, users can also help Google Maps learn about the renaming of roads, changing road directionality. Google Maps will allow users to report about the road closure with more context such as reasons, directions, and dates. Google, of course, will vet it before publishing it on the maps. The feature is rolling out over the coming months in over 80 markets.

Next is posting photo updates on the app. Users can go to the “Updates” tab when they are searching for a place in Google Maps to check out the latest photos merchants and other people have posted on the app. Users will also have the ability to post their own photos. There is no limit on how many photos users can add.

Google asks users to leave reviews and updates as part of a community challenge (Google)

Google asks users to leave reviews and updates as part of a community challenge (Google)

Google is also leveraging Maps to help local businesses. For the next month, users on Android in the US will get the option to join Google's “nationwide challenge” to post helpful reviews, photos, and updates. Users can do so through the Contribute tab on Google Maps.

“In 2020 alone, Local Guides added more than 8 million places to Google Maps, from local businesses and services to parks and plazas. And during a year where we saw much change, they went above and beyond and updated business attributes on more than 17 million places in Maps, like if a restaurant offers takeout or is open for dine-in,” Google said in a blog post.