GoogleMaps :: How to Use Google Maps :: How GMaps Works

Google Maps (GMaps, Googlemaps) is much more than just a map service. Apart from the usual links to other Google products and services the Google Maps search page supports the Google Maps Search box.

Search Results can be modified to show Google Locations; Google Businesses; User-created Google Maps; and Google Real Estate. From the results page there are functions which, when actioned, give Google Satellite, Google Earth, Google Directions, Google Street Views and Google Traffic information.

Beyond these functions you are also given access to Google Labs Maps products. These are test functions which may or may not become part of the Google Maps product range. Over time there will be additional Labs Maps features which will be able to be accessed.

All in all Google Maps is your one-stop shop for all your map and mapping requirements. Find out here How to use Google Maps. By using Google Maps as a surfer you can even play the 'Where in the World Game'.

By using Google Maps as a business or web-content creator you can create Google Custom Maps for your own use whilst at the same time allowing surfer-access to them.

The default view that Google Maps displays is determined by your location. However, if you would like to use a different location, enter an appropriate address in the search box and click [Search Maps].

You can also use one of your Google Maps saved locations. Once your address appears, click [Make this my default location] in the information window. This address will appear as your default location.

Google Maps can be accessed in several ways:

• Select 'Maps' from the top left of your Google Homepage, Google Results Page or any other specialised Google Search product.

• Type 'Google Maps' into the Google Chrome Address box and press [Return] or select the appropriate drop-down option.

• Type 'Google Maps' into the Google Homepage Search box, press [Return] and select the Google Maps option from the Google Results Page, or select the blue drop-down option given below the Google Search box (on the Google Homepage)

• Type 'http://maps.google.com/' into your browser address box and press [Return].

• If you do not want Google Maps localized to your home country (e.g. Google Maps UK) then there is another way to achieve this. You will need to de-localize your Google Homepage (type http://www.google.com/ncr into your browser address bar) and then access Google Maps by one of the methods above. If you try to add '/ncr' at the end of the Google Maps web address you will get a '404 Not Found' error.

• Via your mobile device by visiting 'm.google.com/maps'.

You could also find Google Maps:

• Embedded within a web-page

• As a private map created using Google Earth Enterprise products.

Google has produced resources to help you use Google Maps. These include:

• Google User Guide – accessed from 'Help' at the top right of the Google Maps Search page.

• Google Maps Help Forum - here you can ask questions of and share answers with Google Maps users .

• Troubleshooting - here Google has produced information that can assist you to resolve problems with Google Maps.

• Google Maps API - Google Maps can be incorporated into your own web site by utilizing this API.

• Google Maps API Blog - this blog describes the use of Google Maps API functions..

How to Search Google Maps: You have found Google Maps and you are now considering how best to use the functions and features to search.

You are also wondering what all the functions and features are in Google Maps Search.

You want to know how to obtain the best search results. And howthen do you interpret, enhance and share those Google Maps search results. What are the features of the Google Maps results sidebar? How can you overlay the search maps themselves with information layers?

You can use standard Google Web Search conventions with Google Maps but there is so much more. There are a number of search conventions that are available from the Google Maps search box that allow you to search for different kinds of places and different travelling directions. You will find out what you can do and How to Search Google Maps, and so much more …...

Google Maps :: Search Google Maps :: How To Search For Google Maps

Subject: How to Search for Google Maps; How to Search with Google Maps; How to access the Google Maps series of article. This is the equivalent of a site map for the Google Maps series:

The left hand panel shows Google Maps Search Results, 'Get Directions', 'My Maps' and additional information about items on the Google Map.

Google Help tells me that I can view Google Search Results as text by clicking “Text View” or standard view by clicking “Web View”. To date I have not been able to find where to flip-flop between these two views to evaluate which is most appropriate for my requirements. I am not too bothered as the standard view is perfectly adequate, except that it takes up a lot of space.

The Google Search Results shows sponsored links at the top and bottom of the Google Search Results pane, if they are available.

There are many Google Maps Options available to you when you arrive at the Google Maps search page. You can undertake a general search, but is this enough?

The additional Google Maps options include search facilities to locate businesses, locations (sites of interest), real estate and you can even find maps that have been created by individuals (user-created maps).

If you are interested in the location you have found, perhaps you would like to know what else is in the vicinity. Well, another Google Map Option is the “What's Around Here” feature.

Apart from the Google Maps search results and the maps themselves there are other Google Maps options. Whichever of the options above is currently in operation, there are further options that can enhance your map results. You can get directions and produce your own maps; print, send and link them and embed them into your web site or articles. And if that is not enough, you can even take time out to play the “Where in the World Game”: all options within Google Maps......

Google Maps :: Options Google Maps

Subject: Locate businesses, property and places of interest by utilising Google Maps Options and get directions to get there.

Navigation in Google Maps is in two dimensions. You can pan by dragging your Google Map in any direction; move north, south, east or west; and perform a Google Map Zoom, in or out.

The Google Maps navigation controls consist of arrows, a hand, a location locator, a Street View and facilities to zoom in or out, including a zoom slider. However, web pages with embedded Google Maps may not have all or any of these Google Maps navigation controls.

To assist you in putting a worldwide context to your Google Map there is a Google Maps Overview map. When you utilise the repositioning functions of this feature, you change the existing view in your Google Map. You can drag and drop both the area inside and outside the highlighted overview map area.

Google Maps :: Navigation Google Maps

Subject: Google Maps Navigation has controls to perform directional movement in two dimensions plus zooming. There is also an Overview Map to give context to the main displayed map.

Google Maps offers a number of different search options and functions for you to get Google Maps Search results that are targeted to specific functions. You can even get rid of the search results and just display a full-screen map. How cool is that?

The Google Maps Layer and Google Maps Overlay functions of the search results maps are also very powerful and extremely useful. They form the basis of Google Overlay(s). There are 5 of them at the moment including those from the 'New!' facility.

The overlays are: Traffic, Google Map, Google Satellite, Google Earth and Rotate map. A further overlay is the [More....] Google Maps Overlay. Under this overlay Google Map layers are to be found.

The layers are: Photos from Panoramio, Videos from YouTube, Wikipedia, Webcams, Buzz, Terrain, Transit, Bicycling and Real Estate. One or more Google Map layers can be implemented but this makes the Google Map unwieldy.

Google Maps :: Overlay Google Map :: Layer Google Maps

Subject: Google Maps are enhanced by Google Maps overlays and Google Maps layers.These are explored and explanations given for you to use these overlays and layers to your best advantage.

A Google Maps Marker appears on a Google Map to highlight an important location. A marker is usually associated with a Google map layer. The layers that show markers are: Locations; Businesses; User-created Maps; Real Estate; Wikipedia; and Buzz. Webcams, Photos and Videos are shown as thumbnails.

Google Maps infowindow pop-ups appear when you click a Google Maps Marker. They display additional information about the location. A Google Maps infowindow contains a subset of the following: a picture from Panoramio, an address; a web-address; listing information for properties; reviews and a star rating for locations.

An infowindow may have links to: Directions; Search nearby; Save; Zoom; Street View; Write a Review; Send; Move marker; Edit details; Report a problem and Show all edits.

Google Maps :: Marker Google Maps :: infowindow Google Maps

Subject: A Google Maps marker is used to highlight important locations on a Google Map. One function of a marker is as a place-holder for an infowindow, a Google Map equivalent of a pop-up, which gives summary information about what is located at the position of the Google Maps marker.

Sharing Google Maps is location dependent.

You can: Send Google Maps, Link Google Maps and Embed Google Maps and share them by sending and linking them.

The [Link] function gives you code for you to embed Google Maps into your website.

Maps, search results and business listings can be sent using the [Send] function. The following options are available, according to your location: Email; Phone; Car and GPS.

Maps and search results can be sent using the [Link] function. The following options are available: to link in an Email or Instant Messenger (IM); embed HTML code in a website.

Google Maps :: Link Google Maps :: Embed Google Maps :: Send Google Maps

Subject: The Sharing of Google Maps is a fundamental of their creation. They can be linked, embedded and sent, all with the click of a button.

Google Directions can be obtained from Google Maps simply by entering "google directions" in your Google Homepage search box and clicking [Maps]. Alternatively you can go to the Google Maps page and click on the [Get Directions] link.

You can obtain Google Maps driving directions and newer features are: biking directions, walking directions and transit directions, but only for limited locations whilst these features are in beta.

Once you have completed the entry stage, a map is displayed with a travel route laid out in a specific colour. There are also instructions for the route displayed, shown in tabular format and where there are any, alternative routes.

Walking routes can be found with Google Directions. So if you are planning to do a walking excursion you can do it with Google Maps.

If you have never been to the vicinity before, how can you start planning directions between locations? Come in Google Biking Directions.

Want to know what buses and trains to use? Here is Google Transit.

Unfortunately these beta features are only just being rolled out in the US. It will be a while before other countries reap the benefits.

Google Directions :: Google Maps Directions

Subject: Google Directions are now available for Google Driving and in beta version Google Biking, Google Walking and Google Transit, although the beta functions have limited coverage. All are explored and explanations given for you to use and get the most out of Google Directions.

Driving Directions are obtained by clicking [Get Directions] in Google Maps. Google Maps Directions is location specific. What is available for the United States may not be available for the location you require directions.

The directions are broken down into point-to-point sections and presented in tabular form. You can choose from alternative calculated routes, if available. Google Maps calculates directions together with an estimated journey time and this is shown against each of the calculated routes.

If you click on a section number of the Driving Directions, an infowindow is displayed with a more detailed map of information. You can add locations to your driving route. The results section shows a driving directions locations table and alternative driving routes, if they can be calculated.

Clicking on an alternative route substitutes that route for the current selection. You can change your driving directions route, for example, should there be traffic congestion on the route suggested.

Directions Driving

Subject: Google Directions is available for Google Driving. Directions for Driving can be obtained for many countries of the world. Google Driving Directions is explored and explanations given for you to use and get the most out of Google Directions - Driving.

You can produce some Google Magic with Google Maps when you utilise Google Maps Tips and Google Maps Tricks. Most of the tips and tricks are not documented elsewhere. If you are looking for some magic for your business, web content and content promotion, or for your personal use of Google Maps, then these Google Maps Tricks and Google Maps Tips will enhance any one and / or all three of your requirements.

What can you do to get that Google Magic for your own use and dissemination? Get ideas, tips and tricks to use yourself and to show your contemporaries that you are truly a Google Magician. Use with caution though as you may be asked to perform more magic tricks.

Read on to find out those all important magic Google tips and tricks.

Google Magic with Google Maps :: Google Maps Tips :: Google Maps Tricks

Subject: Introduction to Google Maps Tips and Tricks.

How To Google - homepage of "Google How To".

How To Google in English - for the English version index to "Google How To" subjects.

Google Maps: Tips for Life

Wikipedia: Google Maps

Download Google Earth

Google Maps Extensions

Google Maps API Blog

Strange Things in Google Maps

Googlemaps on Twitter