Google is announcing various changes it will make to the Google Maps platform, including an artificial intelligence update. announced. Google Maps will now provide better at-a-glance information about locations with details powered by Google AI.
The map shows featured photos and reviews that summarize what people like about a location. A restaurant’s food items can be identified using artificial intelligence, and Google Maps will also be able to show cost, potential availability, and whether the restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions.
Google says it will now be easier to discover helpful lists of recommendations from top sites in select US and Canadian cities and from the Google Maps community. To use this feature, simply search for a city and scroll to see a curated list of recommendations from people who know the city. There are also Trending, Best and Value lists highlighting popular places to visit when traveling. This feature is available in 40 cities this week, with more coming in the future.
To accommodate the change in recommendations, Google is also adding new customization tools for creating listings in Maps. Google Maps users will be able to choose the order in which places appear in the lists they create, and there are also options to link content from social channels. Google says listing updates will roll out to Android and iOS later this month.
Finally, Google Maps users will get a refreshed design that includes a cleaner home screen with fewer tabs and new pin colors that make it easier to find places on the map.
