Disclaimer:
This post is for photo enthusiasts sharing countless photos on Google Maps. If you only upload a few photos now and then, please feel free to skip this one.
While on photo walks I don’t have time to check the existence and location of the businesses on Google Maps. I’m too busy taking photos so checking Google Maps is something I postpone until after I have backed up and edited all the photos to make them look as nice as possible.
Finding the pins can often be a hazel if you are not familiar with the area. If the language is foreign with letters you don’t even recognize and are not on your keyboard, then finding the correct pin can be a real challenge. Especially, if the pins have been positioned with a sloppy hand (not zoomed in all the way) finding them is quite hard. And some stores might not even be on Google Maps.
Keep in mind, my photo walks can result in 50-200 photos so the job is huge compared to taking maybe 20 photos from a visit to a single theme park or restaurant.
Searching for the right pin in my local hood is rarely a problem. I pretty much know and recall the locations for each and every photo I take. Only because I know the streets and businesses by heart,
Below you will find 6 of my best tips on how to overcome some of the challenges when searching for the right pin on Google Maps when it is not so straightforward.
Tip #1
Do a text search
Text search is more accurate than just looking at the map and zooming in and out. Not all places can fit on the map - even when zoomed in all the way.
Check the search results to see if the location matches where you took the photo.
Keep in mind that some stores can be named slightly differently, and look out for your own typos.
If you can’t read or type the language, then please see tip #4 below.
Tip #2
Check the GPS coordinates using Google Photos
I back up all my photos to Google Photos. In Google Photos you can just tap on an image. Then swipe up, and you will see a smaller map. If not, just scroll down a bit. Then tap on the small map to see a bigger and zoomable map. This really helpful in figuring out where exactly the photo was taken.
I then manually locate the same spot in Google Maps, zoom in all the way and start looking for the correct pin. If the business is already on Google Maps and it is a popular place, you are likely to find it easily.
Less popular places and places that are not yet on the Map can not be found using this tip. That is why you should also do a text search (Tip #1).
Tip #3
Use the automatic pin finder
If you click Share under a photo in the Google Photos app (this is not working on desktop) you can then select Add to Maps. This opens Google maps with a preselected pin suggestion mentioned at the top of the screen. If this suggestion is correct, just tap Post. This is normally the fastest way to find the pin and upload your photos to Google Maps.
But the suggestion is not always correct. These suggestions work best with popular and well-known places that are not too close to other pins.
If not correct, please tap the wrong suggestion and you will be presented with a list of 6 alternative pins in the area. If one of them is correct, just tab it followed by pressing Post, and you are done.
If none of the 6 suggestions match, then tap Somewhere else? Then you can do a text search for the correct pin.
When this method works it is such a pleasure. Often the suggestions can be off by a lot. When it works well, this is my first choice of method.
Tip #4
Use Google Lens to copy/paste the store name
From Google Photos you can easily open Google Lens to inspect and find text in your photo. Hit the option called Text in the lower menu and then tap on the store name. Tap Copy text and reopen Maps to paste the text into the search field.
This method is particularly helpful in cultures where you don’t know the letters of the local alphabet or if your reading and/or spelling can use some assistance.
Tip #5
Add the new places
If you are unable to find the pin, using methods #1-4, please go ahead and give the store a new pin on Google Maps. Don’t forget to attach your single best photo of the storefront.
If you are having trouble adding new places, please see my post How to get Edits and New Places Approved. And keep in mind that not all businesses are eligible to have a pin on Google Maps as explained in Places you can’t add to the map.
Tip #6
Avoid photographing storefronts that are unlikely to be on Google Maps
Prevent problems by only photographing major businesses that are likely to already be on Googe Maps. It will be easier to find them on Google Maps. Fruit and Vegetable stalls are often super pretty, but many of them are not permanent and not on Google Maps. Also, very small shops in remote areas are less likely to be on Google Maps.
I think it is more helpful to add such smaller places rather than avoiding them. Up to you.
I hope you will try some of the tips and figure out which methods suit you best when finding pins on Google Maps. In my experience, it is often necessary to use more than one method as no method is always best.
This post is related to but not part of the Storefront Photography Series found here.
Cheers
Morten
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