This blog article explains 11 amazing Google Maps Features everyone should be aware of. It will only take 4 minutes of your valuable time to learn about these features. 

Since its launch in 2005, Google Maps has been around for 15 years, offering many benefits for millions of people. For those who travel frequently, this is an essential tool. In today’s blog we discuss 11 amazing Google Maps Features everyone should know in 2022. 

But before that, have you read the blog articles we published about this amazing Map tool from Google?

What is Google Maps: Everything You Need to know in 2022

How to Add a Business to Google Maps:with 2 options

Read these blog articles to sharp your knowledge about Google Maps tool. 

Let’s start our topic!

New Google Maps Features

1.Getting alerts when friends arrive or leave a location. 

Google has added this feature to its maps to alert you when your friends arrive or leave a specific location. 

Let’s discuss this feature with an example. One day Ann goes to meet a friend at the movie theatre. She arrived before her friend & waited for the friend to come. Ann requested her friend to notify her when she arrived at the movie theatre. 

First, the person you request for a location needs to share their location with you. They receive a notification when you request a location from them. They can either accept or deny your request. 

Here is how you can use this feature. 

First, select your profile icon & then click the Location Sharing option. Then select the person you want to get the location details. Then select Add to add an address to get updates from that person. Then choose a specific location to be notified & finally click Save. 

2.Immersive view to experience landmarks in aerial view. 

This feature has aerial views of nearly 100 landmarks in cities including New York, London, Barcelona, Tokyo & San Francisco. 

With the help of this feature, you may virtually explore buildings like the Empire State Building. By using Google Maps to find a landmark and then visiting the Photos area, you can check to see if a building is available.

3.More detailed Cycling route information

With this new feature, you will be able to compare routes & decide which route is better. You can see the elevation of the route, the traffic & whether there are stairs or hills. And also, it will show whether you are biking on a local street or main road. 

This feature will benefit those who use bicycles as their transportation method. 

Other Fantastic Google Maps Features:

1.Displaying Toll prices & toll-free routes.

Google Maps has shown toll-free routes before & now they have added a new feature to show the toll prices. These are the toll prices you will have to pay on different routes you take. 

Thanks to this feature, you can find the toll prices beforehand. Then you can decide whether to take a certain route. These prices are estimated, which Google took from the toll authorities. 

However, Google Maps shows toll-free routes & you can consider those. You can turn on “Avoid Tolls” to see the toll-free routes. 

2.Showing eco-friendly routes. 

Many people are considering how to reduce the impact of their travelling on the environment. So, Google maps show the fuel-efficient routes you can take. 

According to Google, this Google Maps feature helps to reduce tons of carbon emissions annually. Apart from the benefits to the environment, it helps to reduce fuel costs. 

It is up to you to choose either the fastest route or the eco-friendly route. This feature was 1st introduced in the USA & will be introduced to Europe & other regions. 

3.Offers lite navigations for cyclists. 

This feature is also among the best Google Maps features that you need to be aware of. 

Since using cycles for travelling is increasing, Google Maps is improving the navigation experience. It has a “Lite Navigation” feature for cyclists. 

This feature will show you the most essential details like estimated arrival time, route elevation & trip progress. This feature makes it simpler for riders to keep on track without being distracted by detailed directions. Every location that supports bike routes has access to this amazing Google Feature.

4.The Live View guide takes you to the desired destination when walking.

Google’s Live View Tool helps to see exactly where you are walking by holding up your mobile phone screen. To help you locate the precise position you need to be in, the feature uses your camera to view the nearby buildings and displays a large arrow.

Here is how you can use this feature,

1. Go to Google Maps & enter your destination & click Directions.
2. Choose the Walking icon on the top of the map screen. 
3. Tap the Live View icon at the bottom of the screen. It is next to the start button. 
4. Point the camera at buildings & signs on the street. Here you have to give access to your camera. 

5.Download the routes in case you lose phone signals. 

Google Maps lets you download the route you selected in case you lose phone signals. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting lost. This feature is useful when you travel in an area with poor signal coverage. 

Here is how you can use this feature,

1. Go to Google Maps App & enter your destination.
2. Then tap the address at the bottom of the screen. 
3. Scroll to the right direction & tap Download. 
4. Tap Download again. Then the map of the area you have selected will be available even if you are offline. 

6.Use Incognito mode to keep your destinations private. 

Android users & iPhone users can use incognito mode while using Google Maps. The meaning is you can hide your location from other users. And also, you can hide the locations you have searched for. 

Here is how you can do it, 

First, open the Google Maps app & click your profile icon at the top right corner. Then select Turn on Incognito mode. If you want to disable this feature, you can do the same process & select Turn off. 

7.Find a parking space. 

Lots of people face difficulties when they have to find parking spaces. Sometimes they are late for work or important appointments because they couldn’t find parking spaces. 

Rather than driving around and expecting to find a parking spot, use Google Maps to guide you in the correct direction.

Here is how you can use this feature, 

1. Go to Google Maps App & enter the location you need to park. 
2. Then click Directions. 
3. Zoom the location to see all the parking locations in the P icon. 
4. Then click Add stop. Then that parking spot will be added to the 1st stop on your route. 

8.Street View to view real photos of the places you wanted to visit. 

You can use the Street View Feature to see the photos of the location you want to visit. Rather than trusting the photos, you see on social media, it is better to see what that location looks like on Google Maps. 

How to use this feature, 

1. Go to Google Maps app & search for a location you want, for example, hotels.
2. There is a small box with photos of that place in the bottom left corner. This view is the street view of that area.

This blog article explains 11 amazing Google Maps Features everyone should know about. Knowing these Google Maps Features will make your life easier