I need support from Local Guides in naming local roundabouts. Even though I have reported, added a street name or created a location, it is still denied approval. This is quite necessary because the city I live in is a tourist city, so many tourists will use google map to find directions (especially the names of roundabouts because these roundabouts connect to the resort cluster). So can someone explain the naming or location of these roundabouts? Thanks.
Hi @NgocVu3822
As roundabouts are not on the list of categories on Google Maps, they should not be added. They are not eligible to have a pin on Google Maps.
I know they are used as important landmarks in some countries, but such landmarks are not really nessesary when you use Google Maps for navigation. Actually, Google Maps provide much better navigation.
If you use a “creative” category to add a roundabout it will likely be removed sooner or later.
Sorry, as I understand this is not the reply you expected.
Morten
I know this question is two years old @MortenCopenhagen, but can you explain further? There are plenty of roundabouts in my country, and many of them have names. Some have their original area names, while others have been renamed in memory of national heroes or other important people in the history of the country. They are searchable on Maps by name.
Can you explain this also? By the way, I found this thread while researching an answer for another user, so I guess this is a recurring question on Connect.
I put off answering this because I needed time to think.
In India and maybe also in your country landmarks like roundabouts are traditionally been used to write addresses and guide people. This is not the case in the homeland of Google.
So it boils down to this question should Google Maps adapt to local traditions and customs or stick to the principal of each street has a unique name and each house has a number along the road (the house number) which enables shorter addresses and shorter commands for navigation.
I recall an interesting YT video where some anthropologists went researching this issue in India to better understand and adapt to Indian address system. I wish I had saved a link to the video.
I have tried to find an Airbnb in New Delhi using the landmarks and the very long descriptive address system. It was not easy, and it took asking a lot of people to guide me. Maybe it was my fault. But it seemed that the the traditional system was not adequate to easily find the place the closer you get.
Terms like “behind the textile shop” turn left at the “xxx”-roundabout can be misleading depending where you are coming from.
When Google is not allowing us to name roundabouts this is likely because the American/Western Street+house number don’t deoend on landmarks at all.
And in our cultures such landmarks would make very little sense. Audio navigation will not use the landmarks but say “turn left in 30 meters” and "turn left now. That makes sense to my and is what we are used to. And above all you don’t need to know or find any landmarks to reach your destination. And it is simpler to program.
I understand that the descriptive addresses can make it easier at the early on in a navigation.
Earlier it was possible to add and name roundabouts. This can explain why you see some named roundabouts.
The list of categories is how Google Maps communicate what “things” we can add to the Map. So we should not use a category as Cultural landmark for a roundabout. When roundabout is not available in the list of categories, this is Google’s way of telling us that they can and should not be added to Maps.
I trust you are aware if the plus codes as an alternative and super simple, super short, and precise address system. I have heard some countries decided to use this system invented by Google Maps.
I’m not for or against using landmarks in navigation and address systems. I’m just trying to explain why I think Google Maps decided not to let us name and add such landmarks.
Shorter addresses are less error prone. Ditto for shorter navigation and simpler navigation instructions.
I hope this helps.
I found the video
