Google Lets Users Create Own Maps

Google has introduced a new feature to its maps service that aims to make the process of map notation easier, by allowing the user to add placemarks, draw lines and shapes, and embed content.

Called My Maps, the service will support drag-and-drop functionality and would give each unique map a public URL and make it searchable within Google Maps.

"Humans have been making maps since the Stone Age," Google Maps product manager Jess Lee said. "Nowadays, people make maps online using tools like the Google Maps API -- but using an API isn't as easy as scribbling on a cave wall."

Several internal examples of what can be done with My Maps are already available. They include an oral history of Route 66; a photo essay of life at Google's Mountain View, Calif. headquarters; and 2004 presidential election results.

This is not a novel concept by any means. Several other mapping services offer similar functionality. Microsoft Live Search Maps and Ask.com's Ask City allows for the annotation and sharing of maps as well, while Flickr uses Yahoo! Maps to plot where pictures have been taken.

What is different here is the ability and extent to customize maps to a user's liking. Embeddable content includes text, video, and audio, while users can draw lines and shapes directly on the maps.

Others would be able to see the user-generated content as well; instead of the tradional red pushpin for information commissioned by Google, user-created information would appear with a blue pushpin.