Google Maps to let users make additions, corrections and suggestions

Despite making ‘millions’ of updates to Google Maps every day (as the company itself says), we probably can never have it in a perfect state as routes, roads, businesses, restros are always in a state of flux. But Google has found a fix for this trouble. It’s asking for a helping hand from users who use it daily.

The search giant is adding new tools to Maps for contributing and verifying map data. Users on a desktop, Android, or iOS can add businesses that don't appear in Google's data, or edit information about existing entries. Knowledge Graph cards in search results and location cards in Maps now include a ‘Suggest an edit’ option under the regular business information. Dropping a pin in Maps now also shows the option to ‘Add a missing place’.

Businesses with pending details will appear with a notification stating "Someone suggested new info." Users can click or tap that notification and reject or approve the suggestion. "Once enough votes are received to be confident that the suggestion is accurate, it’s published to the map," says Google, noting that this verification process only works for Android Google Maps users, and mobile search on Android and iOS.

In addition to factual information, Google Maps is also building up a repository of other characteristics to build “a deeper understanding of places” to help users find relevant locales. On mobile, users will now be able to add if a place has a romantic vibe, serves vegetarian food, offers outdoor seating, and more.

This isn’t the first time Google has turned to crowd sourcing to improve and broaden its collection of business data. Last year, it began rewarding its “Local Guides” with perks and offers for regularly reviewing businesses, as well as editing, correcting and providing business information.