The Best Google Maps Tips and Tricks 2024

Summary

In this informative video, Tasia Custode introduces viewers to the top Google Maps features for 2024. She covers travel tips like optimizing routes for fuel efficiency, finding EV charging stations, and enabling wheelchair accessible routes. Tasia also highlights the ability to download maps for offline use and share your location and directions with others. Major AI features are showcased, including immersive view for detailed route previews, Lens for real-time information using AR, and photo-first search results to discover places through images. The video is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their travel experience with Google Maps.

Takeaways

• 🚗 Customize your route for fuel efficiency by changing your engine type in Google Maps to match your vehicle.
• 🔋 Easily locate EV charging stations and filter them by type and speed with Google Maps.
• 🦽 Enable wheelchair accessible mode for routes that avoid stairs and provide the most accessible paths.
• 🗺️ Download maps for offline use to have access to navigation without an internet connection.
• 📍 Share your location and directions with others for safety and coordination while traveling.
• 🏞️ Explore routes in 3D with immersive view to get a detailed preview of your journey.
• 🕶️ Use Lens in Google Maps for augmented reality navigation and to identify points of interest around you.
• 📷 Discover new places and navigate to them through photo-first search results in Google Maps.
• 👀 Lens, formerly known as Search with Live View, helps you orient yourself by pointing your phone at your surroundings.
• 🌐 Google Maps integrates AI to enhance features such as immersive view and photo-first search results.

Q & A

What is the first Google Maps tip mentioned for optimizing fuel efficiency during a road trip?

The first tip is to change your engine type for maximum fuel efficiency. This can be done by swiping up on the card from the bottom before starting navigation and tapping on 'change vehicle settings' to select the appropriate engine type such as gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid.

How can electric vehicle (EV) owners find charging stations using Google Maps?

EV owners can find charging stations by setting their engine type to 'Electric' and then tapping on the 'charging stations' option that appears at the top of the search bar. This will show all nearby EV charging stations, including details about the type of charging and whether it's fast or slow.

What is the purpose of enabling 'Wheelchair Accessible mode' in Google Maps?

Enabling 'Wheelchair Accessible mode' provides the most accessible route for those who cannot walk long distances or need to avoid stairs. It's also helpful for travelers with luggage or in areas with steep inclines, as it can suggest routes that are easier to navigate.

How can users download maps for offline use in Google Maps?

Users can download maps for offline use by entering the name of the city they're traveling to and then, on iOS, scrolling left and tapping 'download offline map'. On Android, after searching for the destination, users swipe up from the bottom to access the three-dot menu and select 'download offline map'.

What is the benefit of sharing your location and directions in Google Maps?

Sharing your location and directions can enhance safety measures and make it easier to coordinate with friends and family. It allows others to see your real-time location and battery level, and it facilitates mutual location sharing so that everyone can track each other's whereabouts.

What is the 'Immersive View' feature in Google Maps and how does it help with route planning?

The 'Immersive View' feature allows users to explore their route in 3D. By tapping the play button, users can get a bird's eye view of their route, preview what to expect, and take note of landmarks. It also includes a time slider to simulate different times of the day and weather conditions.

How does the 'Lens' feature in Google Maps assist users in orienting themselves in a new location?

The 'Lens' feature, previously known as 'Search with Live View', uses AI and augmented reality. Users can point their phone at their surroundings to quickly get information about nearby points of interest such as ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores.

What is the new 'Photo-First Search Results' feature in Google Maps and how does it enhance the search experience?

The 'Photo-First Search Results' feature introduces a 'discover through photos' section when searching for specific things like 'Cherry blossoms' or 'dog-friendly hikes'. Users can scroll through photos and tap on one to learn more or navigate directly to the location.

How can users share Google Maps directions with others?

Users can share Google Maps directions by tapping on the share icon or copying the directions to paste wherever needed. This can be done from the main Maps app or after entering specific directions.

What are some additional Google Maps features and tips available for users to explore?

There are many other features and tips available, which can be found in the links provided in the video description. These include various travel tips, accessibility features, and AI-powered functionalities.

Outlines

00:00

🗺️ Google Maps Travel Tips and Accessibility Features

Tasia Custode introduces a variety of Google Maps features for 2024, focusing on travel tips and accessibility. Viewers can optimize fuel efficiency by changing their vehicle engine type before starting navigation, and electric vehicle (EV) owners can easily locate charging stations. An accessibility feature allows users to enable wheelchair accessible mode for routes that avoid stairs and provide the most accessible paths. The script also mentions the ability to download maps for offline use and share location and directions with others for safety and convenience.

05:06

🌐 Advanced AI Features in Google Maps

The second paragraph delves into Google Maps' AI-powered features. Users can explore routes in 3D using the immersive view, which provides a detailed preview of the journey, including landmarks and simulated weather conditions at different times. The Lens feature, previously known as Search with Live View, utilizes augmented reality to identify points of interest when pointing the phone's camera at them. Lastly, Google Maps introduces photo-first search results, allowing users to discover locations through photos and easily navigate to them, enhancing the overall user experience with visual inspiration.

Keywords

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of the video refers to features that make Google Maps more usable for people with disabilities or specific needs. The video highlights the 'wheelchair accessible mode' which allows users to find routes that are more accessible, avoiding stairs and providing alternative paths. This is crucial for individuals who cannot walk long distances or need to navigate without steps, showcasing Google Maps' commitment to inclusivity.

💡AI features

AI features mentioned in the video refer to the artificial intelligence capabilities integrated into Google Maps to enhance user experience. These include 'Immersive View', which provides a 3D, bird's eye view of a route, and 'Lens', which uses AI and augmented reality to identify and provide information about nearby points of interest. These features demonstrate how AI is used to offer more intuitive and informative navigation.

💡EV Charging Stations

EV Charging Stations, or Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, are locations where electric vehicles can be recharged. The video mentions that Google Maps now allows users to easily find these stations near them, with details about the type of charging and speed. This is particularly useful for electric vehicle owners who need to plan their routes around charging availability, ensuring they can complete their journeys without running out of power.

💡Offline Maps

Offline Maps is a feature that allows users to download maps of certain areas for use without an internet connection. The video explains how to download offline maps for cities or regions, which is helpful when traveling to areas with limited connectivity. This feature ensures that users can still navigate and access map information even when they are offline.

💡Location Sharing

Location Sharing is a functionality that enables users to share their real-time location with others. In the video, it is mentioned as a safety measure and a way to coordinate with friends and family while traveling. Users can share their location for a set amount of time or until manually turned off, which can be done through various communication channels like messages or emails.

💡Immersive View

Immersive View is a feature in Google Maps that provides a detailed, 3D visualization of a route or area. The video describes how users can tap on this option to explore their route in 3D, offering a preview of what to expect along the way, including landmarks and the surrounding environment. This feature helps users to better understand and prepare for their journey.

💡Lens

Lens, previously known as 'Search with Live View', is an AI-powered feature in Google Maps that uses the phone's camera to identify and provide information about the user's surroundings. The video explains how it can help users orient themselves by pointing their phone at various points of interest, such as ATMs, transit stations, and restaurants, making it easier to navigate and find what they are looking for.

💡Photo-First Search Results

Photo-First Search Results is a new feature in Google Maps that prioritizes visual content in search results. The video mentions that when searching for specific things, like 'Cherry blossoms' or 'dog-friendly hikes', users can now see a 'discover through photos' section. This feature allows users to scroll through photos and tap on them to learn more or navigate directly to the location, enhancing the visual discovery experience.

💡Fuel Efficiency

Fuel Efficiency in the context of the video refers to the optimization of a route based on the type of engine a vehicle has. Google Maps allows users to change their vehicle settings to reflect the type of engine they have, such as gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid. The app then creates a route that is customized to be more fuel-efficient for that specific engine type, helping users save on fuel costs.

💡Route Customization

Route Customization is the ability to tailor a route to meet specific user needs or preferences. The video explains how Google Maps allows for this by enabling users to change their engine type for fuel efficiency or to find wheelchair accessible routes. This feature ensures that the navigation experience is personalized and caters to individual requirements.

Highlights

Change engine type for maximum fuel efficiency when planning a road trip. Google Maps can create a customized route based on your vehicle type like gas, diesel, electric or hybrid.

Find charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) easily by tapping the 'charging stations' option in the search bar. See details on station types and plug compatibility.

Enable wheelchair accessible mode for more accessible walking routes that avoid stairs and provide elevation information.

Download maps for offline use by searching a city and selecting 'download offline map'. Maps will show the space needed and allow offline navigation.

Share your location and directions with others for safety and coordination when traveling. Share location for a set time or until manually turned off.

Use immersive view for a 3D, birds-eye view of your route to preview what to expect and explore landmarks. Adjust the time slider to see different times of day and weather conditions.

Lens feature in Google Maps uses AI and augmented reality to help you quickly acclimate by pointing your phone at your surroundings and getting information about nearby places like ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, etc.

Discover through photos - a new AI feature that surfaces a section of photo-first search results when searching for specific things like cherry blossoms or dog-friendly hikes. Tap on photos to learn more and navigate directly.

Customize routes based on engine type for fuel efficiency.

Find EV charging stations and filter by plug type.

Enable wheelchair accessible mode for more accessible routes.

Download maps for offline use by city.

Share location and directions with others.

Explore routes in 3D with immersive view and time slider.

Use Lens to get information about nearby places with augmented reality.

Discover places through photo-first search results.

Transcripts

From a great accessibility  feature, to all-new AI features,  

these are the best Google Maps tips  and tricks everyone should know.

Hey friends, I’m Tasia Custode, and  welcome back to my YouTube Channel  

where I share a somewhat concerning  amount of Google content. Today,  

I’m sharing the best Google Maps  features for 2024. Let’s go!

All of these features work across  iOS and Android so let’s kick things  

off with a couple of Google Maps travel  tips. First, when you’re getting ready to  

head out on your road trip - change your  engine type for maximum fuel efficiency.

When you input your directions on mobile,  before you start your navigation, swipe up  

on the card from the bottom. Here, you’ll  see Google has you on the fastest route,  

avoiding whatever slowdowns it can.  But, underneath the traffic view,  

it also shows how fuel-efficient the route is  and here you can tap on ‘change vehicle settings’  

to change the engine type. You can set your  engine from gas to diesel, electric, or hybrid.  

Google Maps will automatically create a route  customized to your engine type. How neat is that?

And Google Maps tip number 2: If you have an EV,  

you can now find charging  stations near you at a glance.

So up at the top under your search bar, you’ve  got some options you can scroll through. These  

options will change based on your location or  route options you have set. So, if you have  

your engine type set to Electric like we went  over in our last tip, you’ll have a ‘charging  

stations’ option up at the top. Simply tap on  that to see all the EV charging stations near  

you on the map. You’ll even get details on the  type of charging station it is and whether or  

not it’s fast or slow. And, you may notice, you  can even add your desired plug so that you can  

only see charging stations that work with your EV  and your plugs. How easy is that? Thanks, Google!

And while we’re deep into the trip planning phase,  Google Maps tip number 3 is an accessibility  

feature that can be useful for everyone. Enable  wheelchair accessible mode in your trip options.

First, if you’ve entered walking directions but  you can’t actually walk that distance or maybe  

need to avoid stairs, tap the 3 dot menu icon  in the top, then select ‘options’ then toggle  

on Wheelchair Accessible mode. Your route will  now take you the most accessible way possible.

Even if you don’t require wheelchair access,  here’s why this is helpful to you. When you’re  

traveling somewhere, let’s say Riomaggiore  Italy and it’s a steep climb upwards and  

you’re dragging luggage around, you may notice  Google Maps provides your elevation for you. Well,  

you can see without wheelchair accessible  mode on, it’s about an 11 minute walk  

very steeply up some steps. But if we  toggle on Wheelchair accessible mode,  

now it’s about a 15 minute walk, avoiding  steps where possible. Super helpful indeed.

Alright, Google Maps feature number  4: download maps for offline use. Yes,  

still one of my favorite all-time Google  Maps features and has been for years.

There are a couple of ways to download  Google Maps for offline use, but I like  

to enter in the name of the city I’m going to be  traveling to, then on iOS, underneath the map,  

scroll left and tap ‘download offline map’. Or,  on Android, after you search for your destination,  

you’ll swipe up from the bottom in order to  access the three dot menu icon near the top  

right. Tap on that and select ‘download offline  map’. Maps will tell you how much space this  

will take up and you can just tap download  again to be able to use this map offline.

And Google Maps tip number 5 is another favorite  

travel tip of mine. You can share  your location and directions. Both  

are extremely handy for safety measures  and traveling with friends and family.

So from the maps app, tap your profile icon  in the top right, then tap location sharing.  

Tap ‘share location’ and then you’ll have the  option to share for a set amount of time, or  

until you manually turn it off. Your location can  be shared in multiple ways - like with contacts,  

via a messages, emails, whatsapp and more. If  you share with a friend that you’re meeting,  

they’ll be able to see your location and then  share theirs as well, so you both can see where  

each other are on the map. Plus, whoever  you’re sharing with will be able to see how  

much battery you have left, which is helpful  if you’re running low on juice. By the way,  

you can also share your location after you’ve put  in directions. You’ll tap the three dot menu icon  

in the top right and tap on share your location.  And because this is a two-for-one tip, this is how  

to share Google Maps directions with others too.  For this, you’ll tap on share directions and your  

share options will appear, or you can simple copy  the directions to paste where you need. Love it.

Alright if you’re finding this video valuable,  please remember to give it a like and subscribe  

for more content just like this. In fact, I have  so many more Google Maps tips and tricks videos  

all linked for you in the description below.  Like, seriously, so many. But now let’s move  

on to a couple of major AI features found in  Google Maps. And this first one is yet another  

great Google maps travel tip. Use immersive  view for your routes to know before you go.

So let’s say you want to walk from this espresso  shop in Seattle to the Space needle but you  

want a more detailed view. Tap on the immersive  view option in the bottom left of your map. You’re  

instantly placed in immersive view where you can  explore your route in 3d. Tap the play button to  

be taken on a birds' eye view of your route so  you can preview what to expect and take note of  

any landmarks on the way. You can even zoom in  our out as you wish. There’s also a clock icon  

near the bottom right. If you tap on this,  it opens the time slider where you can slide  

through different times of the day and dates to  see simulated weather conditions. How cool is  

this? When you’re done in immersive view, you’ll  simply tap the x in the top left to close out.

I think this brings up to Google Maps tip number 7  

and it’s another AI goodie. Lens is now  available in Google Maps. That’s right,  

you can literally point your phone at something  and know what it is and where you are.

Once you get somewhere, and need to orient  yourself, simply tap on the camera icon in  

the search bar at the top. This is Lens in  Maps - which used to be called Search with  

Live View - It uses AI and augmented reality  to help you quickly acclimate yourself. You  

lift your phone and can pan around to  find information about nearby ATMs,  

transit stations, restaurants, coffee  shops, and stores. How cool is this?

And my last Google Maps tip is to find  inspiration with photo-first search results.  

This is another new AI feature that may still  be rolling out to you based on your location.

Now, when you search in Google Maps for  specific things, say like Cherry blossoms,  

or dog-friendly hikes, you’ll notice a new  ‘discover through photos’ section. Simply scroll  

through the results and tap on a photo to learn  more and to navigate straight there if you wish.

So remember, this is a quick highlight list of  the best Google Maps features. There are a ton  

of other great features you’ll want to check  out in the links in the description below.

So those are my picks for the best Google Maps  features 2024. Now I want to hear from you! What  

are your favorite Google Maps tips and tricks? Let  everyone know in the comments below. As always,  

thanks so much for watching, if you liked  this video, I want to know so give it a like,  

a share or leave that comment below. You can click  right about here to subscribe to my channel and  

right here and here for more Google Maps content.  Thanks for watching, and see ya next time!