Get answers about video on Google Maps

[YanniY]

In case you missed it, we just introduced video on Google Maps. If you’re a Local Guide on Android, you can now add videos to millions of places all over the world.

We’re hosting our first Connect Q&A to answer any questions you may have about this new feature. Ask in the comments below and our Product Manager @TokyoJoe will reply with answers.

[haridsv]

I know that I have taken a video on July 6th (I can see it in google photos), but maps won't show it. The video is 42s which is longer than the 30s limit, so could that be a problem? I thought it would still let me upload, but only the first 30s would be uploaded.

[fimblefomble]

Hello Thanks for a great feature, I'm looking forward to using this! I've found the sharing/uploading existing videos from the photo's app to be a little frustrating because it doesn't provide clear, definitive feedback about the success (or not) of the upload. I shared some videos yesterday that didn't appear in my contributions, even after waiting some time. I then re-uploaded them again. I had to do this several times for some videos, whereas others worked as expected first time. Today I see some duplicates. This is a little frustrating. May I suggest an uploads queue that shows clearly when a video (or photo) has uploaded successfully or failed (with the option to retry). Avoiding duplicates would be useful.

[Alaliifdmk30]

Wow,so great

[MikeDownes]

Another question -- Can we upload square video? I have uploaded 16:9 Landscape and 16:9 Portrait videos - not sure right now if my sqaure videos are getting rejected.. thanks ..

[Bolar]

What is the length of the video that you can upload?  

[Simon95]

I've just uploaded a UHD video, but in Google Maps it's like around 240p or lower?

Why? I am Not even able to see anything on my uploaded video 'caused bis the bad comprimissed quality 😞

[PabloVL]

Hi @TokyoJoe & @YanniY

Please let us know some IMPORTANT TECHNICAL DETAILS about uploading videos:

1- Should the video be in portrait/vertical mode only or it can be in landscape/horizontal too?

2- What is the suggested resolution in pixels when uploading a video that we record not using Google Maps app?

It wouldn't hsve sense to upload HD clips (larger data size) if the video is downsampled by Google, right? 

3- Do the Video files that we upload to Maps count as "Used storage space" in our Drive account?

If yes, that would be a big problem for lot of us who also use our Google account as our main email address (it will considerably reduce the remaining free data space)...

Thank you very much!

[danBhentschel]

I've tried several times yesterday and today. Doesn't work for me. I can't add video from the camera (only allows me to take a photo) and I can't add from my photo album (videos aren't in the list). Using a Pixel XL with Android 8.0 and Maps 9.61.1.

[Bolar]

It suddenly appeared as an option for me to upload in the maps application.  I am using an S8+

Robert

[Haydar]

Doesn't work for me. Android 7 on Samsung s8+ Verizon.

[FrothyKick]

Splendid!  Looking forward to applying the feature.

[Mohammed1995]

Jätte fint

[Epstein86]

awesome feature and can't wait to use it... going to the newest high class restraunt in Toledo Ohio.

[AlexiL]

This is awesome! I can't wait to upload short video clips.  I can't wait to ride my bicycle again 😉

[DshottDennis]

 Where do you find the replys to the questions being asked?

[Madinah_photos]

How long of video I can upload on maps 

[HelloSamsonR]

Hi @YanniY We are still awaiting the replies for some of our questions been asked 🙂

[YK1001]

Hi @DshottDennis,

When Googler post a new thread, they can customize how we LGs are interacting with each other.  It is normal if you do not find Reply to Comment, Kudo to Comments, etc.

Hi @HelloSamsonR,

Just my guess here.  If I am running for this kind of Q&A, I will collect all the Questions, forward to the Guest, allow some time for the Guest to answer, the post the Answers back.  If can be a one-to-one reply.  Or posting in a FAQ format.

[YK1001]

Hi @YanniY,

Thank you very much for arranging this Q&A session.  We need more like this in Connect for different topics!  I hope it is the start and more will follow!

Here is my questions:

1.  As Drive Space Usage is a popular concern, will Video Upload use Drive Space? If :

- We upload existing Video from Mobile Device Folder

- We shot within Maps directly

2.  Feature Rollout to Desktop Maps

- When will be Video Upload available to Desktop Maps?

- When will be Video Watching available to Desktop Maps?

3.  Contenet Management

- Will we got Views reports?

- Can we filter our Contributions by Video Status - Video is published or Video is private

Feedbacks:

A.  Videos are hard to find.  Please create a new sections for Videos slimilar to Photos from Menu, 360 PhotoSpheres, etc.

B.  Create an App similar to StreetView, which there can be channels for Featured Videos, Filter Locations with Videos, etc.

C.  Google should create a Speech-to-string for the sound tracks of the Videos add it to the Video.  Or allow LGs to add a Text with the Video.  It will allow LGs to search based on the text.  It will also provide more context of the Video.

Thank you very much and looking forward to see all the answers!

[Bolar]

The time limit for a video uploaded is 30 seconds.

Enjoy,

Robert

[HelloSamsonR]

Hi @YK1001 I didn't understand you clearly. Please can you expantiate futher for more clarification?

[YK1001]

Hi @HelloSamsonR,

Please allow me to try again.  My guesses.  (I will do in this way if I am doing it.)

The Google Product Manager might not be monitoring this thread and post reply to each question they are posted.

When certain amount of questions are asked or certain duration of time is past, questions are collected and forwarded to the Product Manager in batch.  Then Answers posted in batch also.

Further, the replies might be posted in separate thread as a Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ) format, instead of as comments here.

[HelloSamsonR]

Okay @YK1001 I get you now. 

[AbdullahAM]

Thank you @YanniY for sharing with us.

very nice idea

[RanE]

Hello all,

I uploaded videos to this location - but i cannot find them in the photos or anywhere else.

What am I missing?

Link

[G-sankpal]

How can i ? add videos are already capture in my device

[Mr-Motab]

hello

i have the same problem.

i cant post videos in maps but only with my gmail account. if i try the account of my girl friend it does work normal.

but with my gmail account it is not possible, althought i am level 7 guide. nobody can tell me a sollution??????

ya can select videos in the same way then photos. in my case the videos doenst appear iif i try too post!!!

please google help!!!

[MikeDownes]

Hi @TokyoJoe, I've just found out on testing how we can see Videos on Desktop by clicking on 'see outside' not photos.. Seems to work on most pages.. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsCk21MBsJY and earlier video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJLBFFth8pc

[TokyoJoe]

Thanks @Tro81 and @HelloSamsonR for sharing the URL to the Help Centre

[TokyoJoe]

Thanks @JENNIFERST, Accessibility information are crowdsourced via questions on Google Maps but this is a pretty innovative idea! We encourage Local Guides to share useful review via video - some ideas include interior and exterior of places, food, services, and the possibilities are endless. Do check out this post for more ideas!

[TokyoJoe]

@Andreasson360, thanks for sharing. There are many ways of submitting videos and you can check them out here.

Thanks @HelloSamsonR for your tip!

[TokyoJoe]

@YolandaL Video formats that are accepted on Google Drive will be accepted on Google Maps. For a list of accepted formats, please check out our Help Centre article.

[TokyoJoe]

Hi @Webrunner, we are advocates of quality content too. We have shared some tips on how to post great videos on Google Maps

[TokyoJoe]

@YolandaL, you can upload a video you’ve already shot:

• Search and select a place on Google Maps
• Scroll down and tap “Add a photo”
• Tap “Folder” and select a video.

If the video you chose is longer than 30 seconds, it will automatically be trimmed to the first 30 seconds.

[TokyoJoe]

Hi @HelloSamsonR Could you please try uploading the remaining 2 videos again and let us know if you see any errors?

[TokyoJoe]

@OSAMA, once you have uploaded a video to Google Maps you can delete it from your photos storage and it won’t remove it from Maps. However, note that deleting a video from Google Photos will also delete it from Maps.

[TokyoJoe]

@BeatleH, please download the latest version of Google Maps.

[TokyoJoe]

@Kikemtz, we don't recommend uploading 360° videos as there is no viewer support for them on Google Maps. However, you can consider being a Street View Photographer.

[TokyoJoe]

@MikeFronius, MaxPlusFood  we are working to make videos available across all platforms soon. We will share an update when they are available.

[TokyoJoe]

Hi @MikeDownes, If you have edited any videos on Google Photos, you can upload them to Maps - check out the detailed instructions here

For Google Maps, you are welcome to upload as many short clips as it takes to tell the story. Check out videos uploaded by Zagat for examples. (you’ll need to open that link on your Android phone to see the videos)

We currently limit individual videos to 30 seconds to better support Google Maps users who are on the go. If you are looking to create longer videos, YouTube might be a better option.

[TokyoJoe]

Hi @Pwingers, thanks for your idea. You you can consider being a Street View Photographer if you are interested in 360 photos.

[TokyoJoe]

@haridsv, Videos are currently viewable in the Photos tab in the Google Maps for Android app. We are working to roll videos out to desktop and iOS soon. If you have uploaded a video that you have already shot, only the first 30 seconds of the video can be added.

[TokyoJoe]

@fimblefomble, thank you for sharing the feedback. Videos that have been uploaded successfully will followed by a screen thanking you for your contributions. Please do let us know if that does not happen moving forward.

[TokyoJoe]

@PabloVL @MikeDownes, you can upload in both portrait, landscape or even square mode. However, portrait format (the “tall” way) is preferred as they’ll be more convenient for viewers to see on their devices.

[TokyoJoe]

@YK1001 We are working to roll out videos viewing and upload to desktop soon. We will also get back to you on the storage questions. Local Guides will only get photo views report. For feedback/ requests on video views report as well as filter features, please send feedback via Google Maps. You feedback is very useful - we have shared this with the wider team too. Keep the feedback coming!

[haridsv]

"Videos are currently viewable in the Photos tab in the Google Maps for Android app. We are working to roll videos out to desktop and iOS soon. If you have uploaded a video that you have already shot, only the first 30 seconds of the video can be added."

@TokyoJoe I did use Google Maps on Android, and I was able to upload videos recorded from with in the maps app. The issue I reported was specifically about finding a video that I recorded earlier on another phone (iOS), which shows up in my Google Photos on Android, but not in Google Maps on Android. I am guessing that the video has to be present on the device and that the videos from my Google Photos are not discovered? Is this a limitation or a bug?

[PhotoesqueUK]

Hi,

I've tried to add a pre-made video from my phone but when I follow the instructions, no videos are showing for me to upload.

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy s7 edge and have both phone generated videos in my gallery, as well as modified ones in both .avi and .mp4 format...none of which seem to be available to select.

Am I missing a step somewhere?

[Vvincent]

Bonjour à tous,

J'ai publié mes premières vidéos depuis la caméra du smartphone ou à partir d'un fichier vidéo déjà existant. Cela fonctionne très bien.

Un onglet vidéo apparait dans la section photo.

Néanmoins, les vidéos sont visibles uniquement sur la version mobile pas sur la version bureau.

Voici un exemple :

Parc George Sand, Mouy - France

https://goo.gl/maps/aMzhhr8ZeQ52

Vincent

[Mr-Motab]

@ tokyojoe

my problem still inst solved.

i cant post videos on my android wit my GMAIL account. if i use the account of my girl friend it works very good.

i tried it in two ways. first to use the camera, but if i want to press thebutton longer, to make videos the screnn becomes whit and then a photo is shot.

if i try too post a video, which a made with my camera in the normal media i see this video, but if i try it with die maps app, they are dissapeard.

how can somebody help me, or when will be fixed this bug??

---

[Mr-Motab]

Normal Media

Same,but with maps

Wenn ich das Video mit Karten durchsuche, werde sie nicht angezeigt. Das erste Bild zeigt meine Medien mit Videos ohne Karten, das zweite wenn ich meine Bilder mit Karten öffne.

Habe mich etwas vorher vertan