Google Maps officially hit its 20-year mark of existence over the weekend. It was launched as a “get from point A to Point B application on 8 February 2005.
Today, Google maps is used across 220 countries and supports 40 different languages and the mapping app has around 1 billion users monthly with users visiting the app around 50 times a month.
The days of using a GPS device were brought to an end when the Google Application became mainstream and by 2016, around 67% of smartphone users were utilising Google maps.
More Than a Map:
The app has today advanced way beyond the original direction finder purpose with many businesses relying on the app to bring new clients to their business. Not having your business on Google maps today is like not having a phone number.
When using Google Maps today you’re actually seeing millions of algorithmically-powered predictions happening in real time. The concentration of cellular devices and the average speen they are moving in helps predict traffic volumes and indicate where there is traffic congestion. But Maps is far more than a handy traveling assisting app.
World’s Largest Street –View Library?
In 2007, Larry Page had an idea to drive down a street and collect imagery – and Street View was born. Since then, it’s become a core part of how Google maps areas around the world. Billions of images have been collected, and Google maps is perhaps one of the largest repositories of images that show a timeline of places and the changes to the place over time.
These images are collected by cameras strapped to everything from snowmobiles to camels. And, the images of Street View covers more than 20 million kilometres – the equivalent of circling the globe around 500 times.
Also created in 2007, Google Maps launched maps for for Blackberry, Palm and Windows devices. Two years later in 2009, they launched turn-by-turn navigation.
Own Map Creation and User Content – a Key Differentiator
Google also revolutionised map making and in 2009 Google Maps started producing their own maps from scratch. To do this, Google used data from local governments, Street View and satellite imagery, and launched the “Report a problem” button – providing the opportunity for users to actively contribute to map accuracy and to suggest edits to the map for the First time in digital mapping history.
Just over a decade ago, in 2014 Maps was expanded to include more helpful information about places, that contained business open hours, introduced ratings, and also included price ranges for restaurants, bars, and hotels. Today, this information is available for over 250 million places around the world!
This created a global community of Local Guides, where volunteers contribute everything from helpful reviews and photos to crucial accessibility information – ensuring that Google Maps is fresh and up-to-date.
2023 saw the launch of Immersive View, that introduced the future of Google Maps by transforming the way people explore landmarks, parks, stadiums and routes thanks to advances in computer vision, AI and billions of images. Not only can you see stunning imagery, but you can overlay Maps’ helpful information about the weather on top so you know exactly what to expect before you head out.
Google Maps has had an interesting Journey over the last 20 years and has grown to be an integral part of understanding and navigation yourself around the world today.
