Google is converting Maps into a social network by offering a profile to each user filled with their photos and reviews submitted by the user. Last year Google gave pilot features that allowed users to follow Local Guides and get the latest updates about them. This feature came up with a huge success, looking at which Google decided to expand it globally.
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Google Said
“Today we’re expanding this feature and beginning to roll it out globally. If a Google Maps user has shared photos, reviews or lists publicly, you can now follow them and get their recommendations, advice and updates delivered to your Updates tab in Google Maps.
So the next time you find someone sharing helpful photos of takeout menus, handy lists of your city’s most spacious parks or inspiring photos of local shops and services, you can keep up-to-date on all of their recommendations.”
New Features
Topic Filters will be added to the Google Maps profile. With the help of these filters, users will be able to find places and businesses that are most shared or reviewed by the user. Users can also write a short tagline about them under their profile photo in the same way as Instagram bio.
Profile Manager
User can manage their own Google Maps profile if they have have share any photo or review publically. Like any other social media app, everyone has to option to keep their profile private. No one is forced to show things they have shared in Google Maps. If the profile is restricted by the user, a new follower will have to wait to watch the content until the profile owner accepts the request. Users can also set their profile privacy to the public, which everyone can follow. Users can make all these settings from the profile page.