Introduction to Map Maker
Google Map Maker allows you to contribute, share and edit map information for certain regions around the world. Once you understand the basics, you can locate, draw, label, describe and moderate local map features. Find out how you can:
Add map features using a marker to denote an individual spot, line, or a polygon to mark a region.
To create a point:
- Click on the point tool.
- Select the type. Enter text to find an appropriate choice.
- Click on the map. View imagery by selecting the Satellite or Hybrid views.
- Edit the attributes in the info window.
To create a line or polygon.
- Click the line tool or polygon tool.
- Select the type. Enter text to find an appropriate choice.
- Draw the outlines/boundary of the feature. View imagery by selecting the Satellite or Hybrid views.
- To cancel the drawing, press Esc at any time.
- Double-click to end the drawing. Alternatively, press Enter to finish the drawing.
- Edit the attributes of the place of interest in the info window.
Learn more about adding new features. Also, find out how to add these specific map features:
Edit a place or geographic characteristic. These can include man-made structures, like buildings and monuments as well as natural elements of a landscape, like lakes and rivers.
Each feature has information that you can add or edit. Depending on the kind of feature, this information may include:
- Overview - Basic information about the feature, like its name and address.
- Attributes- Specific details about the feature, like the speed limit of a road, or a photo.
- Description - Add a longer description or comments you want reviewers to make note of. For example, that particular building has been torn down recently.
- Events - Add events that happen in a particular place, such a concert that occurs in a certain park.
- History - This is a record of past edits to a feature made by different users.
Learn more about editing features.
Edit turn restrictions to help us make driving directions more accurate.
You can get directions to and from locations in Map Maker just as you would on maps.google.com. However, there's one distinct feature -- at every turn displayed in the directions, you can edit 'turn restrictions.' Turn restrictions allow you to indicate if the turn from one road on to another (or a U-turn) is allowed, or not. As you can imagine, this is crucial information when creating driving directions. You can edit directions when you notice the following:
- Directions have a turn that isn't allowed.
- Directions aren't showing road names.
- Directions use smaller local roads rather than more convenient, major roads.
- Directions are using a road that is in poor condition, or a road that's private.
- Directions on to or exiting highways look awkward.
Learn more about getting and editing driving directions.
Find your edits
To view a history of the edits you've made, click My MapMaker > My Changes in the left panel. Click any edit to learn more, or view the information under each one in the left panel. Note that each change will have a status:
- Changes pending moderation - These are edits that you have made that require review from others. You can add comments for moderators also when the feature is pending. To do so click on Add comments.
- Live changes - These are edits that appear in Google Maps for anyone to see and don't need moderation.
Help us make Maps more accurate
You can moderate users' submissions, making sure features are located and labeled accurately, and that they comply with our Terms of Service. To get started:
- Click the My MapMaker tab in the Left Panel.
- Click the 'Moderate' tab. Those orange markers you see are all the features in your current map view. You'll also see any areas that you've added to your Neighborhoods. Google Map Maker also displays any areas you have added to your which are available for your moderating pleasure. Don't see any features, or see only features from a previous search? Try zooming out and clicking Refresh moderation list >>
- Select a feature to moderate by clicking its marker in the Left Panel or Map view. An Info Window appears.
- Click Moderate.
Check out these frequently asked questions about moderating content.
