By sinha on 27, August, 2008 | Channel: Goog + Orkut

Google Launches Map Maker (Not for US Market?) : A Take on Wikimapia?

Google has launched Google Map Maker, a product built out of India office.

Google Map Maker lets you:

  • Add line features (roads, railways, rivers, flyovers, underpasses), region features and points of interest.
  • Add features such as roads, parks, and buildings for unmapped rural areas
  • Tag small businesses and help users find them
  • Collaborate with others to map neighborhoods that interest you

Essentially, this is also one of the ways for Google to increase the relevance of it’s local data (which to date, isn’t great)- but largely, it seems the map maker product could be a take on Wikimapia (i.e. after Wikipedia:Knol?)

The product is not available for US market (i.e. map isn’t editable) and is mostly meant for emerging markets (LatAm etc) :

  • Because of the already rich data available in US (thru’ data partners)?
  • It could be that these geographies are the testing ground for this product and might be rolled out in US later?

What’s your take?

Have a look at the product demo:

GIve Map Maker a spin and do share your comments.

 

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    • comment(s) on Google Launches Map Maker (Not for US Market?) : A Take on Wikimapia?

    12 Responses to Google Launches Map Maker (Not for US Market?) : A Take on Wikimapia?

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    7. Sumant says:
      August 28, 2008 at 9:23 AM

      The Question is How many ppl interested to add ?.

      Reply
    8. Gautam Kshatriya says:
      August 28, 2008 at 10:56 AM

      @Sumant – I think you are assuming that there are no incentives in place for people to add to Google Map Maker. There are: if you’re a local business (ala ‘Ha Noi Cafe’ in the video) you’re going to want to make damned sure that your business is on the map and that people know how to get there – indeed if the road / surrounding is not mapped out, then your going to make sure that you draw it.

      Gautam Kshatriya
      gautam.kshatriya@moneyvidya.com
      http://www.moneyvidya.com

      Reply
    9. Sparx says:
      August 28, 2008 at 5:52 PM

      MapMaker is certainly getting its fair share of attention. Today’s PM edition of the Mid-Day tabloid here in Mumbai has this on the front page. Looks like a very slow news day in the city….

      Reply

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    12. ron jon says:
      February 3, 2009 at 5:37 AM

      I found map maker to be quite a painful to use. If you looking to add or find addresses/streets, http://www.mapyouraddress.com might be a better option. Just my 2 cents…

      Reply