Google is asking users like you to edit its Maps site to provide more accurate, real world map data…
“Google Inc. on Monday announced that registered Google users in the U.S. and Australia can move incorrect markers for their homes or businesses to the correct locations…”
For those who have gotten lost, delayed or just plain frustrated on a trip due to a mistaken marker on Google Maps, the company has unveiled a potential solution.
Google Maps added a new feature Monday that makes it act more like a wiki in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Starting today, Google Maps users now have the ability to edit locations on Google Maps for all users to see.
It is starting with the ability to move a place marker to the correct location, and will later include the ability to edit more details about the location, Seth LaForge, software engineer for Google Maps, writes on the LatLong Blog.
The little flag that pops up when you run a Google Maps address search does not always appear on the actual building you are searching for. Sometimes, it is across the street, on the nearest corner or in the middle of the parking lot. Well, now you can move the flag.
To edit a location, the program requires a user to run address search for his home address to find an arrow that will have information about the location – then choose Edit in the pop-up box. After clicking edit, a user then will be given the option to drag the flag to a more pixel-perfect location that better represents where the entrance to the building actually is and save it. Thus, when anyone else searches for the address, they will see the edited marker at the correct address, Google said.
Of course, to prevent mischief-maker from deliberately moving a marker to the wrong address, you can click on “Show Original” link that will direct users to the original marker. If the new one is in the wrong place, users can fix it.
The changes will be reviewed by Google before they are made available to others, at least at first. There will also be the option to view the original location offered by Google. If a business listing has been claimed by its owner, edits will require the owner’s approval. All edits require a Google account, and that user’s account will be identified as the author of the edit.
“The service should help Google keep its local data fresh, and give users and business owners more control over their listings.”
“Google did note that access to some listings, such as hospitals, government buildings or businesses whose listings have been claimed through Google’s Local Business Center, will be restricted.”
In addition, some edits, such as moving a place marker more than 200 yards (or 200 meters in some countries) from its original location requires a moderator’s approval before they show up on the map, according to Google.
Unfortunately, the way the system works now, it is impossible to tweak the location of a business unless you are confirmed as the actual business owner. Average users only have permission to edit explicit addresses. That means if you change the location of the marker for pizza hut’s address, the next time you search for pizza, the updates you made are not seen anywhere.
LaForge noted in the blog post announcing the change that “fixing markers can be downright addictive. I have spent hours using Google’s Street View to locate businesses and houses, and then moving their markers to the right locations.”
It is interesting to see Google turning to crowd sourcing methods to solve this particular problem. First, there was the incorporation of personalized My Maps data into wider public searches. And now there is the ability for users to actually “hack the map” to improve its accuracy.
Greg Sterling, founding principal of Sterling Market Intelligence, a consulting and research firm, noted in a blog post that the move is consistent with an increasing “socialization” or openness of Google “and part of a broader effort to obtain fresher and better local data.”
“Allowing the community and business owners to edit and update information is the only viable way to have an accurate database,” Sterling added. “As diligent as the various providers are in updating and correcting local listings, the commercial databases are full of inaccurate and outdated information,” he said.
If the feature sticks around for a while, Google should start a contest or give people points for updating markers — make it a game, almost like the Image Labeler. If enough people start making accurate adjustments to the system, the data they collect could make Google Maps the most accurate mapping service available.
Whether or not, this improvement will actually be greeted as another privacy rights swipe by the tin foil hat wearers out there remains to be seen.
We tried this on a couple of workstations. Windows PCs running Firefox were able to move the flags, but using my own Mac G5, also running Firefox, I received a “could not edit map due to technical restrictions” error. If you have the same problem, you can view the “Edit Google Maps” demo on the company’s website.