I have loved Google Maps for a really long time now since I got to try it out with navigation in the earlier days of Google Maps being available on the iPhone. I remember the point when I was going to my University one time and my dad was driving then I tried to use the map to navigate using an alternate route, we followed the map then we hit a dead end which the map said was a road. At this point I had gotten more curious about Google Maps. I then met a Google Student ambassador who told me about Google Map Maker which allowed me to edit the Google Map and help people navigate much better. So this is where I got more interested in using Google Maps much better.
I have grown through the product from the point I started using it a while back till date and I have loved it more and more. I remember when I could add places to the Google Map using Map Maker and editing some of the roads and adding new roads which could help people with navigation, I was always excited when my edits were approved as I am now that the program all evolved into Google Local Guides, when ever I see published I could do a dance for that. I have loved the part where I try to get somewhere and then they had a Google Map listing but it’s not the right point or coordinates on the map, so I get to move it to the right point and then get published, that makes me happy that the next person would be able to get there without the hustle. Then comes reviewing my experience in some of the places I visited even when I traveled out of my country and within my country and city. I love experiences it means a lot to me and I am ready to share my experience with others which can help them make some judgement on if they would love the place or not. It was great to have the added feature to google maps where you also answer some questions about the place which then allow people to know more about the place such as if it’s good for groups or there is usually a wait there, I believe this has help the explore section be much better to other users of the map.
Since I love to go places and food especially I have loved adding pictures and videos of the places I go to which helps people to see things offered at some of the places I go to and the feel of things, I even loved it that I could add some 360 and panoramic photos which gives more insight to the places. This still gives me more excitement when I see my views email from Google Maps about how many people have seen them and how much it’s making a difference out there. This adds to my mission of making the map and the world a better place for people to experience.
I also love the addition of traffic data to the maps for navigation which has personally helped me make judgements of the routes to use to some places and the time it may take to get to my location/meetings or even work. With this I have loved the map much much better.
Adding new places such as Small Businesses have always been at the heart of my mission with my Local Guide journey where when I find a new place to add I can add it so that these people who may not even have a website can have a listing online so that they can at least be reached by direction and even calling which helps them a long way. Also adding more information to other people’s listing such as call and photos helps with my Local Guide journey.
With all these thing which sum up most of the things which have been important for me through my experience with Google Maps.
I love Google Maps and it’s actually one of my most used apps on my phone and computer.