Since my last note to the community, the world has continued to change in so many ways. In my own town, I’ve watched how businesses big and small have worked to weather the changes as we enter different phases of reopening. Some have pivoted their business models to adapt, but unfortunately, not all have been able to do so.
One thing that has remained the same; however, is that passionate Local Guides like you and me are taking to Google Maps to make sure that information is fresh and accurate, supporting both our neighbors and the businesses that service them.
In tandem with the changes we’ve all faced, the over 100 million Local Guides have been so critical to this experience. When people open up Google Maps or search for information near them on Google Search, your contributions consistently help others around the world in a time of need.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Google Maps team has been hard at work building new features and experiences to help people make the best and safest decisions. Features like:
A new COVID-19 layer that makes it easier to see relevant data that shows you where COVID hotspots might be emerging
Popular times and live business updates that allow you to safely plan when to visit certain places
The ability to book virtual classes and appointments on Google Maps that you can enjoy from home
I’ve personally found the ability for people to re-open businesses, paired with the COVID safety layer, to be incredibly useful. As we try and find things to do with our kids before the winter, it’s reassuring to know which local parks are now open, and that they’re in a safe zone.
I’d love to hear from you; how have any of these or other Google Maps updates helped you or your community recently?
I look forward to watching all of the ways you continue to help your communities thrive on Google Maps.
Yeah i like how google maps help in this tough time for all the world, the temporary closed or the update of the working hours, was very helpful, thanks again
I’ve spent days reopening local businesses, most of them simply surprised that the local guides were able to fix everything in a few seconds, updating their status and uploading information about the new rules, the signs and the procedures for a new restart to life.
It was surprisingly helpful to use the updated Maps for quickly respond to the new situation.
Many businesses had unfortunately to close, replaced by new businesses, and the change was for me incredibly easy to do.
Many playground weren’t on Maps on my area, and I spent a few days just for adding them.
The map of Covid is helping us to plan our travel safely.
Maps responded to something that no one would like to see in a short time, with good improvement.
@mchomsky Thanks for sharing this note. All that you have mentioned has helped local businesses. Even then, it’s sad to see so many smaller businesses not being able to weather the pandemic as locally around where I live, many have chosen to close down, temporarily or permanently. Local Guides ability to mark businesses open after temporarily closed has definitely helped many people find and locate places to do business with. And the recent Covid-19 layer will definitely help give more visibility to the situation as we all recover from it.
Oh yesthe world has changed in many ways indeed @mchomsky and the new features introduced to maps have helped businesses to better adapt to these changes which in turn has helped many make better informed decisions. The COVID-19 layer and the ability to search for COVID-19 health facilities is a tremendous community benefit.
नमस्कार मेरे प्यारे भाइयों मित्रों जैसा किlockdown हर जगह बंदिशों के साथ खुलता दिखाई दे रहा है मैं विकास सिंह रघुवंशी बनारस का रहने वाला हूं वाराणसी काशी के नाम से प्राचीन समय से जानी जाती है हमारे यहां कुछ चीजें बहुत प्रचलित है जैसे बनारस का पान बनारस की गलियां बनारस के मंदिर मां गंगा का घाट ज्योतिर्लिंग बाबा विश्वनाथ का टेंपल हमारे यहां गोलगप्पे पसंद है गलियों में जलेबी और कचौड़ी से लोगों के दिन की शुरुआत होती है ह लोग उसका आनंद लेते हैं मित्रों हमारे यहां बाबा विश्वनाथ की असीम अनुकंपा है लोगों में किसी भी तरह का कोई खौफ नहीं है एक महामारी में बनारस मेरा काशी वाराणसी एक नई योजनाबद्ध और विकास के मार्ग पर आगे बढ़ने की कोशिश कर रहा है सब बाधा और समस्या को पीछे छोड़कर आगे बढ़ रहा है धीरे-धीरे जीवन पटरी पर आ रहा है सामान्य रूप से चलने की कोशिश कर रहा है मैंने बहुत से व्यापारी भाइयों को देखा जिनका बहुत ज्यादा नुकसान हुआ कच्चे फल जो lockdown से पहले आए और लॉकडाउन में ही ट्रांसपोर्ट में खराब हो गया उनका बहुत नुकसान हुआ धीरे-धीरे जीवन सामान्यता की तरफ बढ़ता नजर आ रहा है लेकिन मैं मेरे प्यारे मित्रों भाइयों से यही कहना चाहूंगा इसमें घबराने की जरूरत नहीं है सतर्कता बरतने की जरूरत है सतर्क रहें सुरक्षित रहें क्योंकि हम लोग को आगे बहुत सारे काम करने हैं इसी के साथ मैं अपनी लिखावट को विराम देता हूं ।
Most local businesses have embraced a digital presence either partially or fully during the lockdown and Google Maps continues to be the tool of choice for most businesses locally that I know to make their presence felt online.
@mchomsky The recent enhancements to Maps like the contactless payments, pick-up facility on online ordering, COVID layer and the ability to mark as open/close and above all the facility to book online services have gone a long way into making life easy for both small businesses and consumers alike
These features have been added to Maps at the right time, so kudos to the development team for helping small businesses keep their services streamlined during challenging times.
Also, thanks to the LG Connect team to allow local guides to continue acting as the catalyst in this endeavor.
Totally agree, @mchomsky the world has changed a lot, even the way to do things. Anyway, I’ve helped my community updated information about schedules, reopening, adding photos about requirements to get in the business, and reviews about my experience.
Great and informative post ! Mow a days uses of Google maps bwcome a vital matter! Most of the local businesses can easily find out and get informations from Google and Googlw Maps!
I agree with you @mchomsky on both reopening of local businesses and the Covid-19 layer.
During early phase of lockdown, most of the stores were marked temporarily closed and when they got permission, many local businesses in my locality who actually know me due to my contribution asked me to reopen them. My one small contribution must have helped their businesses to grow.
I supported some of the local restaurants by ordering food, adding them to maps with photos etc…
The Covid-19 layer is very good and I hope you’ll expand it to smaller towns as well. It will help people to take the safest route…
Thank you to the team for working day-night to bring such updates…
@mchomsky I am agree with you that in the first instance when the lockdown started here it was very strict.
In the lockdown I have added pharmacies and grocery stores to Google Maps. I made this small effort to make it easier for people to search their nearest pharmacy and essentials products shop at home.
A very important question and issue. Since becoming quite active on the maps and connect,I must say I know the community even better and there is more publicity of buisness and updating of street names and so on. I love the fun of adding new places and editing old ones. I feel like Christopher Columbus when places I added or edited are being published. It’s my own little way of helping and influencing my world for good. Thanks for the topic and many thanks to the Google team for working round the clock to improve the maps and help people. There is more room for improvement thought but it’s done well so far
Absolutely @mchomsky ! I’ve seen in my local community how many businesses have moved to online shopping and virtual services since the lockdowns. Change is a constant thing and so we must all adapt. Many businesses are now offering ‘contactless delivery services to their customers’ since many people work from home these days and would find it easier to just receive their items at their doorsteps. Although activities are gradually kicking in and businesses are taking shape once more, the restrictions are still their such as mask wearing and social distancing.
The contactless payment and curbside pickup have really helped minimize the spread of the virus in Abuja. Those updates have been very useful in my community here. The COVID-19 layer is available yet but I’m hoping to see it soon in Abuja, Nigeria.
Apresiasi untuk team google maps, terkhusus @mchomsky @. saya sebagai pemandu lokal terus menginformasikan perubahan yang terjadi dilapangan di kota saya
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