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Google Map Maker goes hyper-local with Activity Stream

Zooming in on the map, the Web giant introduces a new tool for its crowd-sourced mapping app that lets users share and learn more information about their neighborhoods.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
2 min read
Google Map Maker looks to get more local with its Activity Stream. Google

Google's Map Maker goes local by amplifying its service with information on neighborhood hot spots, cafes, gyms, and more. The Web giant announced today that it's doing this with a new Map Maker feature called Activity Stream.

Google Map Maker is a crowd-sourced mapping Web app that lets users create and customize maps on Google by adding locations and details on roads, businesses, landmarks, and other spots. It launched in 2008 and is available in most countries throughout the world. It's an important addition to Google's mapping services because it makes maps far more detailed.

In the past, Google Map Maker has focused on worldwide coverage; but with the launch of Activity Stream, the company is taking a micro-look at towns and cities and focusing on local level mapping.

"Moving forward, map making will be pivoted around neighborhoods, making it even easier to improve your hometown, local hot spots, or even your most frequented vacation destinations," Google wrote in a blog post today.

The Activity Stream can be found in Google Map Maker's left-hand panel. There, users will see neighborhoods, search results, activities, and more. Besides adding additional information, users can also filter what they see by category. For example, if they have a dog, they might want to see more dog parks. Also, users can set up alerts to find out when changes to their neighborhood are made.

"Neighborhoods help you stay up to date with your favorite places and organize your map making activities," Google wrote in its Map Maker help. "By following and reviewing edits in regions you care about you can help keep the maps accurate."