Google Maps revolutionises location search with conversational AI integration

Google Maps is revolutionising location search feature with conversational AI. Users can now engage in interactive searches, receiving tailored recommendations based on their queries and preferences.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Feb 03 2024, 20:51 IST
location tracking: Track your friends and family on phone; Google Maps to WhatsApp, check 5 useful apps
Google Maps
1/5 Google Maps: This Android app is not only used for route tracking but it can also be used to share your location with friends and family. It offers free GPS tracking services enabling users to take advantage of real-time location tracking. It also notifies users of the estimated time of arrival to the destination. (unsplash)
Google Maps
2/5 Find my Phone - Family Locator: It is a useful GPS tracking app for Android devices. With location tracking, it also provides features such as custom text alerts to notify friends and family of your real-time movement so they can keep track of you at all times.  (Find my Phone)
Google Maps
3/5 Life360: This app offers real-time location sharing and enables users to send location-based alerts. With this app, users can easily keep track of children and friends, additionally, it enables users to send private messages within the app for easy communication. (Life360)
Google Maps
4/5 Glympse: With the help of this app, users can share their real-time location with family and friends easily. It utilizes GPS capability for effective tracking and creates a link which can be shared with others for location tracking. Additionally, it enables users to create private groups for location sharing which can be used within families.  (Glympse)
Google Maps
5/5 WhatsApp: The Meta-owned app also comes with built-in location sharing. It enables users to share locations to chats and groups for 1 hour to 8 hours. This is one of the best ways to track real-time location, however, you will be required to use the internet at all times for the location to update.  (unsplash)
Google Maps
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Google Maps transforms location search with generative AI, allowing users to even converse during searches. (Google)

Google Maps is undergoing a transformation as generative AI takes centre stage, allowing users to engage in conversational searches for places. Leveraging its expansive large language models (LLMs), Google is tapping into the vast repository of information on over 250 million places within Google Maps, incorporating user-generated photos, ratings, and reviews from a staggering 300 million contributors. Check out the changes as Google Maps looks to transform location search.

A User-Friendly "Ask About" Experience

Initially rolling out in the United States, this experimental feature introduces a user-friendly "Ask about" interface. For instance, inputting "places with a vintage vibe in SF" elicits a response encompassing vinyl record stores, clothing boutiques, and flea markets. Detailed location information and review summaries accentuate the appeal of each venue.

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This novel feature preserves context, allowing users to seamlessly ask follow-up questions. For instance, a query like "how about lunch" prompts Maps to recommend old-school diners nearby that match the vintage vibe criteria.

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Scenario-Specific Recommendations for Every Occasion

Convenience is elevated further as users can seek recommendations for specific scenarios. Asking for "activities for a rainy day" brings forth indoor options like comedy shows or movie theatres. Delving into family-friendly choices, a follow-up query such as "What about options for kids?" reveals places like bowling alleys, children's museums, or indoor playgrounds, complete with highlights based on user reviews.

Google emphasises a cautious approach to implementation, initially granting access to this feature exclusively to its Local Guides community- dedicated contributors within the Google Maps ecosystem. This collaborative effort ensures a thoughtful integration of generative AI. Following this initial phase, the company plans to extend access to the broader user base.

The Local Guides, established in 2019, constitute a global community of explorers actively contributing to Google Maps through reviews, photos, answering queries, and fact-checking. While the extent of differentiation from traditional searches remains unclear, it is anticipated that the conversational style of responses will distinguish this AI-driven feature from the conventional proximity-based search results, offering users a more engaging and interactive exploration of their surroundings.

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First Published Date: 03 Feb, 20:51 IST
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