Google Maps Tests a Social Networking Feature (techcrunch.com) 32
Google Maps will soon begin testing a new feature that's more common to social networks like Facebook, rather than a maps app: the ability to find and follow other users. From a report: In Google Maps' case, it's specifically rolling out the ability to follow top "Local Guides" -- its community members who actively review business and share to Google Maps photos and other knowledge as part of a larger rewards program. The Local Guides program launched in 2015 as a way to take on Yelp Elites by allowing the most active Maps contributors to earn status as a tastemaker of sorts for their own hometown. Guides write more in-depth business reviews and post photos in order to help other Google Maps users learn about the area.
In exchange, they receive a variety of perks, like early access to new features, exclusive local meetups, free access to Google services, discounts and coupons and more. Now, Google says, it's kicking off a pilot program that will allow Google Maps users in select markets to follow top Local Guides by clicking a new "Follow" button on these users' profile pages. By doing so, the Guides' recommendations will be surfaced for you when you're using Google Maps. In a new section on the "For You" tab in the app, you'll find the area recommendations from the Local Guides. Google is piloting the program in Bangkok, Delhi, London, Mexico City, New York, Osaka, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Tokyo, for the time being. Presumably, if all goes well, it would expand to more markets. Further reading: Google Maps Has Introduced So Many New Features and Design Changes in Recent Months That Getting Directions On It is Becoming an Increasingly Challenging Task; and Ten Years of Google Maps, From Slashdot to Ground Truth (2015).
In exchange, they receive a variety of perks, like early access to new features, exclusive local meetups, free access to Google services, discounts and coupons and more. Now, Google says, it's kicking off a pilot program that will allow Google Maps users in select markets to follow top Local Guides by clicking a new "Follow" button on these users' profile pages. By doing so, the Guides' recommendations will be surfaced for you when you're using Google Maps. In a new section on the "For You" tab in the app, you'll find the area recommendations from the Local Guides. Google is piloting the program in Bangkok, Delhi, London, Mexico City, New York, Osaka, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Tokyo, for the time being. Presumably, if all goes well, it would expand to more markets. Further reading: Google Maps Has Introduced So Many New Features and Design Changes in Recent Months That Getting Directions On It is Becoming an Increasingly Challenging Task; and Ten Years of Google Maps, From Slashdot to Ground Truth (2015).
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Come now, Jesus (Score:2)
There is hardly anything more annoying than Google Maps asking me how I liked the place next to the last stop light I was at for more than 15 seconds.
I pray this feature is rejected by the hoards.
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Really? I never have that issue. My issue is that every time I open Google Maps it sluggishly loads the fucking "Explore Nearby" popover that covers a third of the screen, and is really easy to mis-tap on. No Google, I don't want to explore my fucking suburban neighborhood. I want to see if the highway is a clusterfuck or not before I get on it. That and random zooming when I search. No Google, I specifically chose that area to search in. If I had wanted to search a larger area, I'd have chosen a larger god
Re: Come now, Jesus (Score:2)
Yes, this shit is getting tiring. I know their telemetry metrics tell them people don't use this crap. No wonder there's a "rewards program" and "influencers" behind the push. I wish they'd just move it to a separate app called Google Neighborhoods or something. But then it's harder for them to shove down people's throat.
All this is is another ad that pops up every time you open Google Maps.
Hi i'm an intern wanna develop my social media app (Score:1)
Just gotta choose a great name for this new social media app.
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Lovefinderrz?
I'm a guy... (Score:4, Funny)
I am a guy. I don't want figuring out how to get somewhere to be a "social" activity. If I did, I would have asked for directions a long time ago.
Ford Mach E no story yet? (Score:2)
Go figure!
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I read tests as tesla somehow!
Sorry, my rant totally unwarranted. Still the submission is good.
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Isn't this illegal under WA stalker laws? (Score:2)
Pretty sure we have laws against privacy-disabled stalking here in Washington State.
This sounds really really really bad.
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Not if you are a stalking control freak, just think about it. The Googlites thought this was an appropriate feature, they see nothing wrong with control freak stalkers demanding their victims run this software, they see nothing wrong in it. Those SJFs are clearly broken people, living in a Bizarro world, a closed circle jerk, all anal retentive locked in invading and data mining everyone's privacy, so they see this evil shite as good, great in fact.
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Social media is just the method to get users using and to keep their smartphone on.
More bloat! (Score:2)
As a sidebar to this: Best alternative to Google Maps? It's the only Google-anything I use anymore but I think this is the sign that it's time to dump that, too.
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what a crock of shit (Score:4, Informative)
I'm a "Level 7" local guide.
The "perks" have been junk, utter junk. What a waste of time.
If you are thinking about becoming a google local guide, I suggest you consider taking up knitting, or origami, or macrame. You will have a better outcome.
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Every time I consider providing suggestions about or ratings for a place I think to myself, "Self, would you like this place better if it was filled with hipsters and millennials?" And when the answer is inevitably "Fuck no!", I let that urge go.
I seriously don't get why anyone would think, "I'd like this place better if it was a lot more crowded and the service took longer. I should promote it!" Maybe if it's going to die due to lack of customers you might want to do that, but in general, good places are c
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The ads (Score:1)
The social media part was just something to make the users keep the ads connected.
Switched from Google Apple Maps as my default (Score:2)
Just did this this week. Why?
All the new social and “nearby” features just got in the way of, you know, the maps.
I HAVE A BETTER @#$%@ING IDEA........ (Score:2)
https://www.google.com/search?... [google.com]
Put the god damn compass back PROPERLY instead of adding bullshit.
Some of us navigate by North / South, some of us, when in a parking lot, in the car, knowing what direction the parking lot is facing, would like to press the compass button to get an idea, if that next direction we need is left / right exiting the car park.
Why would anyone want this? (Score:2)
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now we can shame our neighbors (Score:2)
I can't wait for the feature where we can write comments and reviews about any property address... that should be fun to watch lol
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then we can search our neighbors based on who is the most sluttiest and whorish