Disclaimer: the following is not an official Google document, but simply my personal elaboration made with the aim of explaining, in a simplified form, why we can or cannot contribute or modify certain elements of Google Maps
How many times have we read in Connect “the village is not in Google Maps” or “how can I add a lake to Maps?” or “the name of the village is wrong”?
Of course, active Connect members do their best to direct the authors of these questions in the most appropriate way. However, what I have been wondering for a long time is whether, and how, it is possible to explain to everyone the structure of Google Maps and the reason why it is made this way.
To try to explain the various layers, I imagined Google Maps as an onion.
- The core of Google Maps
At the center of everything we find the core, the “geographic” part of the map.
This is a part “untouchable” by everyone except Google, as it is the base on which all the other layers rest. A three-dimensional representation of our planet, with lands and seas, rivers and mountains. On top of this are the various layers, starting with the “political” one.
- The “political” layer
This layer includes those elements that are defined by human beings, starting with the states, their borders, with a level of detail that through regions, provinces, municipalities, neighborhoods, becomes increasingly defined. The same can be said for cities and villages, and even for the names of natural elements, oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, mountains.
- The “Transit” layer
The Transit layer refers to public transport lines on land, by road or rail, which are operated by transport companies.
- The “Roads” layer
This layer does not only refer to the road network, but also to bike paths, pedestrian paths, and trails.
- Businesses and Points of Interest
This is the level that Local Guides know best. It includes not only commercial activities, but also monuments, museums, panoramic points, just to name a few.
What can/cannot we edit in Google Maps?
The diagram below gives us an indicative overview of what can be edited in Google Maps and who can edit the various layers.
The “Geographic” layer
As already mentioned, this is the core of Google Maps, a three-dimensional digital representation of the planet. This digital representation was born in 2001 with Google Earth, and on this, four years later, Google Maps was created. Those who are curious and want more details can read on Wikipedia: Shuttle Radar Topography Mission - Wikipedia
How can we contribute here?
Only Google can edit the content in this layer. However, the layer contains elements where we can contribute photos and reviews: Natural Features. These categories include natural elements such as oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, mountain peaks, and so on.
The “political” layer
The “political” layer of Google Maps is the cornerstone on which all subsequent layers are inserted. It is based on official cartography approved at international level for the definitions of State borders, and at national/local level for what concerns the map elements within a specific State.
Changes happen every day. New neighborhoods are built, others change names, new villages arise and others are abandoned. Our role in this is fundamental: we live in the territory, we are the first to see the changes. So why can’t we also update the Maps?
The answer is simple: We can be the most reliable and honest people in the world, but in order to make the change, Google needs to verify that the information corresponds to that of the official cartography of the area.
For this reason the layer can only be modified by Google, but we can report changes and errors through the Google Maps Help Community. Obviously in the report we will have to provide official documents and cartography to support our request
All requests such as “the name of the village”, the new neighborhood, etc. fall into this category.
The “Transit” layer
For many, this is the most mysterious layer, because it includes elements of a different nature: stations, bus stops, rail connections, road routes, but also piers, landing stages, water routes.
A new bus stop just opened near my house. Can I add it to Google Maps? No, we can’t. The answer isn’t unmotivated, but to understand it, we need to understand what the Transit layer is.
To explain this, let’s take some keywords directly from the relevant help page: About Google Transit
“With Google Transit, users can view public transportation options within Google Maps to help them plan the best routes to get where they’re going. With Google Maps’ combined schedule and route data, your transit information becomes easily accessible to millions of Google users in dozens of languages on both computer and mobile devices.”
“Google Transit lets you plan trips easier for your passengers with stops, routes, schedules and fare information integrated into Google Maps.”
“When participating transit agencies share their static transit data (e.g. routes, stops, and schedules) with Google Transit, that information is integrated with Google Maps and accessible to Google users.”
When we plan a car trip, we want to know the route we need to take and the estimated travel time, based on distance, road characteristics, and traffic.
The same applies if we’re traveling by public transportation. Therefore, some information becomes crucial: real-time transit
“Realtime Transit provides live transit information and updates to Google Maps and Google Maps for mobile users. These updates include the latest departure and arrival times and service alerts.” source: About Realtime Transit
This is why this layer is reserved for transit agencies: because they are the ones who possess the route information, and also the real-time data. Information they share in partnership with Google Maps.
We can contribute here with photos and reviews of elements like stations and bus stops
The “roads” layer
Roads are probably one of the topics I’ve written about the most in Connect. On the other hand, without roads Google Maps would not exist, so I think this is the most important layer for Google Maps, or for any other map, digital or paper.
“Road maps are perhaps the most widely used maps today” (source: Map - Wikipedia)
A layer so important that its continuous updating is essential for Google Maps.
This layer does not only refer to the road network, but also to bike paths, pedestrian paths, and trails.
How does Google Maps acquire and update roads?
It does this through a combination of different elements:
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Existing maps. The official maps of various countries are a fundamental source of information.
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User contributions. Users can add, and in some cases edit, roads. They can do this from both mobile phones and desktop computers. Google verifies the imagery using algorithms that compare the proposed roads with aerial and satellite imagery.
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Contributions from public entities, which can create partnerships with Google Maps to provide their updated cartography through the Maps Content Partners program.
The “Business and Point of Interests” layer
Finally, here we are. This is the top layer, where Local Guides play a fundamental role.
It is on this Layer that we carry out most of our activity: we add photos, write reviews, answer questions but also, to stay close to the subject of this Topic, we add and edit places in Google Maps.
Obviously, the first people who can insert and manage listings are the owners of the same, as they can also claim the activities, in order to use tools for managing the listings and communicating with users.
What kind of places can we edit?
In principle, it can be said that we can edit works built/created by human beings, which have a public relevance.
This obviously includes all commercial businesses (providing a service) that are accessible to the public, but also those related to public administration, art and culture, and worship.
There are restrictions on certain categories of places, which cannot be added, removed, or modified for user safety reasons.
Restrictions apply to, for example, banks and schools, as well as buildings related to the military and national security.
Google Maps may also impose restrictions on specific businesses or geographic areas in the event of excessive inappropriate contributions.
Editing: a tool to be handled with care.
If you’re a frequent visitor to Connect, you’ll have noticed that when it comes to edits in Google Maps, there’s a substantial balance between those who complain about their edits not being approved and those who complain about inappropriate places (which should be removed) on Google Maps.
There are, of course, malicious edits, but very often they are errors, often due to a lack of knowledge of Maps logic and rules.
The purpose of this article is simply to provide a general overview of edits in the different Google Maps layers. If you’d like more information on specific details, feel free to ask.
If you’re experiencing issues with any form of edit, please post a topic about the issues you’re experiencing. I and the other Connect Moderators will be happy to help.
Most of the photos used in this article were taken by me at the “Mind the Map” exhibition, which took place in Treviso from February 5th to May 29th 2022. For more details: Mind the Map - Discovering the history of the Maps
Interesting and useful readings about this topic:
and also sharing with my community group 
