Hello, I was wondering, if Google Maps ever has plans to add more editing features to the map. I do editing on Google maps and openstreetmaps and with openstreetmaps, you have the ability to add anything, it’s endless, but it is also moderated by a community so there’s not vandalism happening. Wondering why Google doesn’t follow the footsteps and give editors or local guides that’s a higher number the ability to do more than just editing roads… Editing on Google is extremely annoying, you can’t add new neighborhoods, so all the new neighborhoods in my community don’t have a boundary line, all edits take weeks to get approved (if they even do) and it is just overall really annoying for the editors that want to do more than just upload pictures and leave reviews. They need to bring back more map maker type things to Google maps. Because the maps in my area every year are looking more and more outdated and there’s nothing I can do to fix it because it’s nothing I have the ability to edit. For example, down below shows Satellite versus land use. Extremely outdated…
We used to have full access via a tool called Map Maker @RyanWatern unfortunately even though it was also supervised by a community and hierarchy of moderators there were issues and Google chose to withdraw the product. You can still contribute via Road Mapper should you wish https://maps.google.com/roadmapper/ which allows people to identify roads in developing countries.
Google have gradually introduced more and more features from Map Maker into the core app but they are necessarily and prudently moving slowly with the additional features.
Paul
Let me add that you can edit roads on Google Maps using the desktop version of Maps as explained here. But you are right that the approval rates are not impressive, to say the least. And you can seek help on such issues in the Maps support forum if you have relevant official documentation. Local authorities can get super editing powers via the geo upload program that enables local and regional partners to upload their data directly and automatically. Please learn more here: Google Maps Content Providers. Examples include municipalities and public transport providers.
Trusting users is a real issue when considering the amount of spam and fake content that is added constantly by ill-minded actors.
Cheers
Morten