Top 5 Features Of Google Maps You Must Explore

Google Maps is a web mapping service used by over a billion people worldwide. Many people use the service to help with routes from point A to point B. Users remain unaware of the many features offered by the service, which can help both individuals and businesses. Let us look at some of the very useful Google Map features that can help you in 2020.

• Google Street View

This technology of Google Maps gives you interactive panoramas of several cities of the world. It uses the Java application programming interface to provide a virtual representation of the localities. It uses satellite and aerial imagery along with on-the-go photography from the ground. The feature allows businesses to create a virtual presence and allows people near their location, or people travelling to their location, to know about them.

Users can use their Google accounts to activate the Street View and shoot videos on the go. A business looking to establish their online presence can hire professional photographers to create the Street View of their business location.

• Share your live location

A feature of Google Maps is sharing your location with friends and family when travelling. You can explore the trip progress as well as search for restaurants, shops and other stores along the route. Let us say you are going in a cab in a new city, then use the feature to share your live location with people who care about you.

When you use the Share Trip Progress tab, people you choose will receive an email or text notifying them about your trip as well as location.

• Plan your route

People and drivers across the world are using Google Maps to travel from point A to point B. There is an additional feature that is not used as often – checking the route for a scheduled travel. For example, if you have to travel to the airport at 6.30 p.m. on a Friday. On Friday morning at about 10.00 a.m., you can check the time it will take to travel from your office to the airport. You can thus plan your day and the time you need to leave for the airport.

When checking for the expected time of travel, change the time window on Google Maps to get a more accurate result.

• Download maps for offline use – One of the most appreciated features of Google Maps is that you can download the directions of your route. It is especially helpful if you are travelling to or through locations with poor or network connectivity. For example, if you are travelling from Agra to Jaipur, you can go to ‘offline maps’. Select the option ‘custom map’ and choose the destination.

One thing to keep in mind is that this feature only gives you direction. It will not show traffic build-up or snares. Are you aware that Google Maps can also help you navigate at public spaces and buildings like airports, universities, stations, and more?

• Explore the Virtual Assistance

The Explore tab is an excellent tool for giving recommendations about shopping and dining. It helps you with looking for restaurants or clubs in your location, and you also get reviews from the locals. Use the tab to explore trending events in your area. You can explore filters like Things to do, Food & Drink and City guides.  

The explore tab can show detailed filters like Amusement Parks, Historic Places, and Drinks and Dancing. You can use these to plan a family outing or a date.

These are some of the features of the Google Map. There are several other features like music integration with Spotify and Google Business Listings, which make Google Maps a necessity for modern humans.