Google Maps Makeover Reduces Clutter, Highlights Hotspots
July 26 2016 - 04:10PM
Dow Jones News
By Nathan Olivarez-Giles
It is time to update your Google Maps app. Alphabet Inc.'s
Google has made a handful of changes to the way Google Maps looks
in a bid to make the popular app easier to read at a glance.
The team made its map label typography larger and clearer, and
removed road outlines -- which were unnecessary when you aren't
navigating. (Roads remain on the map in white and yellow.) It also
began highlighting neighborhoods that are heavy on activities, such
as restaurants, shops and other attractions. These "areas of
interest" are shaded a light orange color.
While Google mainly uses algorithms to pick the areas, in
high-density areas such as New York City, Google also uses some
human maps editors to make sure the app is showing what it deems
"the most active areas," the company said in a blog post.
The design refresh is visible on the web now and currently
rolling out to iOS and Android users in an app update.
The changes do make Google Maps easier on the eyes, but their
usefulness depends on what you use Google Maps for. Information
overload and clutter is something Google has been battling as long
as Google Maps has existed.
Areas of interest will likely help people unfamiliar with a city
or neighborhood figure out what parts of town to check out, but it
might not mean much to locals. And if you own a business located
outside of an area of interest, this change might even result in
fewer users stumbling upon your establishment thanks to Google
Maps.
It is worth noting, however, that these changes don't impact the
way the service's search box (which lets you search via text or
voice) works. Restaurants within an area of interest wouldn't be
given priority billing in a search, for instance.
Write to Nathan Olivarez-Giles at
Nathan.Olivarez-giles@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 26, 2016 15:55 ET (19:55 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024